Use Information about the Arc de Triomphe at Paris

The Arc de Triomphe is a monument in Paris that stands in the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the Place de l'Etoile. It is at the eastern end of the Champs Elysées. The arch honours those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars, and today also includes the tomb of the unknown soldier.

The monument stands over 51 meters (165 ft) in height and is 45 meters wide. It is the second largest triumphal arch in existence.Its design was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus; The Arc de Triomphe is so colossal that three weeks after the Paris victory parade in 1919, marking the end of hostilities in World War I, Charles Godefroy flew his Nieuport biplane through it, and was caught in a newsreel.

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It was commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napoleon I at the peak of his fortunes. Laying the foundations alone took two years, and in 1810 when Napoleon entered Paris from the west with his bride Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, he had a wooden mock-up of the completed arch constructed. The architect Jean Chalgrin died in 1811, and the work was taken over by Huyon. During the Restoration, construction was halted and would not be completed until the reign of King Louis-Philippe, in 1833–36. When the architects on site were Goust then Huyot, under the direction of Héricart de Thury.

Pedestrian access to the Arc de Triomphe is via an underpass - dodging through the Paris traffic on the roundabout that surrounds the arc is not recommended. The Arch has one lift, to the level underneath the exterior observation level. Visitors can either climb 284 steps to reach the top of the Arch or take the lift and walk up 46 steps. From the top there is a panoramic view of Paris, of the twelve major avenues leading to the Étoile and of the exceptionally busy roundabout in which the Arc stands. Take the RER or Metro to the Charles de Gaulle - Etoile stop.