Arc du Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe at the centre of avenues - Source

Arc de Triomphe is one of the most prominent icons of Paris. It is a beautiful tall monument from a couple of centuries ago. On the new year 2017, once again, the midnight celebrations and firecrackers took place at Arc de Triomphe. This celebration is also held at the Eiffel Tower at times and also at Arc de Triomphe.

New Year Celebrations at the Arc de Triomphe - Source

History

Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon after triumphing in a war. A fact about the Arc de Triomphe is that an unknown soldier was buried beneath it. There is also an eternal flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier who lost his life in World War I.

Location and how to reach

Arc de Triomphe can be easily reached by bus or by metro/RER. The station “Charles de Gaulle-Etoile” on RER A and Metro 1 is very close to the arc.

The monument is at the end of the famous avenue of Les Champs-Elysees.

To avoid the traffic, there is an underground passage that connects the avenues to the Arc. The ticket price per adult is 12 Euros.

The Arc

Official Twitter account of Arc de Triomphe - Source

Arc de Triomphe is 50 meters tall and can be said to have an off-white colour. It has carved structures as well as names of some wars that France won. The sculptures are detailed and beautiful. At the foot of the arc, there are also some plaques. The ceiling of the Arc has a number of sculpted roses.

By climbing up the stairs, one can reach the top of the arc and enjoy the view of Paris. There are also binoculars to zoom in. La Defense is also visible from the top of the arc.

Arc de triomphe at night - Source

Paris is probably the most famous city in the world for tourists and it's most famous symbol is the Eiffel Tower. The view from the Tower, though is not the most beautiful in town in my opinion - that would be Arc du Triomphe.

From the top of the Arc you'll be able to see the whole city in a panoramic view, including a priviledged view of the Eiffel Tower. Also, the Arc is located in a crossing of 12 important avenues in the city and from up there you'll be able to see all of this routes meeting and tracing the town.

You'll see other important attractions as well (probably all of them): Louvre Museum, Notre Dame church, Invalides Palace, Sacre Coeur Basilica, and much more.

To make everything even better, the Arch is perfectly aligned with other two archs in the city: one in front of Louvre museum and other one in La Defense neighbourhood. All of these things make you feel like you're in the center of the city when you're there (even though it is not), and if you're in the center of Paris is almost like being in the center of the world. Really inspiring.

History

Besides the breathtaking view, the Arch also has a more complex history than Eiffel Tower. It started to be built by the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in the 19th century to honor the war victories during that time. The construction stopped after the emperor was deposed from power and restarted in 1830, by the king Luis Filipe 1st order.

Since then, many tributes were done in the Arch: Napoleon's body had a ceremony there before being buried, as well as the French writer Victor Hugo whose coffin stayed there for a night. Militar parades also take place there, the most famous of them was during World War II when the Germans conquered France.

Also, during the end of the 19th century, Paris was completely reformed and the Arch started occupying an important place in town. The main avenues in Paris were built around it following an urban project made by Haussmann, a famous French urbanist that made the city become a worldwide icon.

Nowadays the Arch is a tribute to all soldiers who died during the wars and there is an unknown soldier's body buried under it and a flame that never turns off.

Visits

Inside the Arch, you can find an explanation of this history behind the monument, an exposition of the uniforms worn by French soldiers during many wars, as well as an interactive panel that shows all important arches in the world.

To get inside the Arch you will need to cross the many avenues that surround it. But don't do it in the streets: there is a secret passage in Champs-Elyseés avenue that goes under it. That way you won't be in risk of being hit by a car in this crazy traffic.

You have to buy tickets to go up, unless you're under 25 years old and lives or study at European Union - then the entrance is free.

On the way to the top, there are many stairs and there is no other way to go up. But it is totally worth it - like I said, the most beautiful view of Paris.

Location

Arc de Triomphe is located in the West zone of Paris in Chaillot neigbourhood, and in the end of Champs-Elysées, the most famous and luxurious avenue in the city. It is also a very touristic place, so be careful with pickpockets!

Many public transportations can take you there. The closest subway station is Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, lines 1, 2 and 6. But you can also get off at Franklin Roosevelt station and walk the way through Champs-Elyseé to the Arch - I highly recommend doing so!