The Solo Scale:
Paris is full of fantastic views. One of the best is the Arc de Triomphe, especially as the sun sets over the City of Light. From the very top, you can also observe the incredible city-building that Paris’ architects put together.
“Wanted by Napoleon in 1806, the Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated in 1836 by French king, Louis-Philippe, who dedicated it to the armies of the Revolution and the Empire. The Unknown Soldier was buried at the base of the arch in 1921. The flame of remembrance is rekindled every day at 18:30.”
– Arc de Triomphe site
If you’re planning to explore Paris and want to ascend the Arc, check out the Paris Museum Pass! Going up is 284 steps, but unlike some other monuments, there’s an elevator here.
One of the many benefits of the pass is that it’s a fixed price for a number of museums for you to explore over a fixed number of days. Another big benefit is that you don’t have to wait in line to buy a ticket. At the Arc de Triomphe, that means skipping the (often) long queue and heading right in.
When you’re accessing the Arc, be careful because it’s in the middle of a roundabout. Going through the Passage du Souvenir underground is the safest way to get there. That way, you can avoid getting hit by a random car as you try to cross. There’s also a separate tunnel for bicycles (Tunnel de l’Étoile).
If you manage to go at the right time, you’ll get beautiful dusk views of the sun descending over La Defense and the moon coming up over the Eiffel Tower.
From the top, the streets laid out below gives you a great sense of Paris’ city planning. Plus, if you go at sunset, it’s one of the best views of several Paris tourist hubs. That includes incredible views of the Eiffel Tower! There’s only a limited amount of space to wander around at the top of the Arc, so this visit might not take you a long time. That’s why it’s extra important to time it to some great lighting, if you want those fantastic pictures to remember Paris by.
For details on hours and tickets, visit their website. The closest Metro stop is Charles de Gaulle Etoile on Line 1, 2, 6, and RER A.
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