Visit Arc de Triomphe in Paris: Tickets, Tours, Prices and Opening Hours

Undoubtedly one of the best things to see and do in Paris is to visit the Arc de Triomphe, located in the Place Charles de Gaulle or Place de l'Etoile. In addition to seeing it from the outside, you can go up to its viewpoint to contemplate the skyline of Paris and the Avenue des Champs Elysees, and learn more about its history, architecture and construction in the exhibition located on its terrace.

With its almost 50 meters high, the Arc de Triomphe, which was inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome, is one of the most representative monuments of Paris and a must of your visit to the city. Here you will find information about the most convenient tickets and the details you should take into account to make the most of your visit to the monument.

The best option

Paris Arc de Triomphe Tickets

Queue-free entry to the Arc de Triomphe

You will be able to visit the famous monument and go up to its terrace without queuing or wasting time at the ticket office.

From $21 at Hellotickets

This option of entrance without queues to the Arc de Triomphe is the most convenient because its cost is similar to the general admission and allows you to see the monument without waiting too long at the ticket office.

Recommended if... you want to see the Arc de Triomphe in the most convenient way and without wasting time in queues.

General admission to the Arc de Triomphe costs about 12 euros per person per day, and children under 18 get in for free. This benefit is extended a little further for European Union citizens, as children under 26 years of age do not pay admission. Foreign residents in the French territory of that age group also do not pay admission.

In addition, people with disabilities accompanied by a caregiver can enter free of charge, with the only requirement to present their identity documents. On the other hand, people with reduced mobility and pregnant women and / or young children are the only ones who can go up by elevator to the terrace of the Arc de Triomphe, instead of going up the stairs.

The entrance to the Arc de Triomphe includes access to the terrace, from where you can appreciate the panoramic view of the city and the Champs Elysées, its main avenue. It can only be accessed by stairs, so be prepared to climb the 284 steps that lead to the top of the Parisian monument. There you can also see an exhibition where you will learn all the details of the construction of the Arc de Triomphe.

On the other hand, there are usually different events and presentations at the monument, especially for children, so I recommend you check the schedule of shows if you go to Paris with children. These presentations also have a cost for children, and can be around 8 € approximately.

When to enter the Arc de Triomphe free of charge

The entrance to the Arc de Triomphe is free on the first Sunday of the month almost all year round, except from May to October in Paris. It is also free during the European Heritage Days that take place on the third weekend of September. Therefore, you can enter the monument for free on the following dates:

• The first Sundays of the month from November 1 to March 31.
• The third weekend of September, when the European Heritage Days take place.

To visit the Arc de Triomphe for a day in Paris you can buy the general admission ticket, which is the one sold at the monument's ticket office and on its official website, but it is not a skip-the-line ticket. Therefore, if you are interested in buying the ticket without queues you should buy it in tourist agencies, whose price does not vary much in relation to the price of general admission, so it is very convenient.

On the other hand, children under 18 years of age do not pay admission. If you are also from the EU, people under 25 years of age enter free of charge. This benefit is extended to foreigners who have processed their residence in the country. People with disabilities accompanied by a caregiver also get in free.

If you buy your ticket at the ticket office, you will have to queue to buy it and then queue to enter the monument (and go through security checks), so it is best to buy your ticket in advance via the web or tourist agency. Many agencies, in addition to the ticket, offer guided tours of Paris that you can take advantage of to get to know the city in depth, its history and culture, and the most outstanding monuments and attractions.

Yes, tickets to the Arc de Triomphe are included in the city's tourist passes, such as the Paris Pass, which also includes entrance to the Eiffel Tower and other emblematic monuments such as the Montparnasse Tower and the archaeological crypt of Notre Dame. It also usually includes a cruise on the Seine River, a tour on the Big Bus with panoramic view, breakfast, cheese tasting and wine tasting.

If you will be in Paris for several days and plan to visit its most representative buildings, you should definitely buy the Paris Pass tourist card. Not only will you save money on entrance fees, but you will also save time at the ticket office because they are skip the line tickets.

You can buy this tourist card for a minimum of 2 days in Paris and up to 6 days, so it is ideal that you make a list of the monuments you do not want to miss and decide what is the most convenient plan for you.

Yes, general admission tickets include the guided tour of the Arc de Triomphe at no extra cost at the following times:

• Weekdays at 10.15 am.
• Weekends at 10.15 am, 11.15 am and 3.15 pm.

If you book your ticket at any of these times, you can take a guided tour of the monument at no extra cost, but remember to make your reservation in advance. Outside these hours you can make your visit listening to the audio guide that is provided free with your ticket.

Another option is to hire a guided tour with a tour company. These agencies offer more varied options, since in addition to the guided visit to the Arc de Triomphe without queues, they offer private guided tours with which you can learn in depth the history, architecture and significance of this monument.

One way to buy your discounted ticket to the Arc de Triomphe is by purchasing a city tourist card, such as the Paris Pass. With this tourist card you will get significant discounts on your admission, and many extra benefits such as a sightseeing bus tour, breakfast, wine tastings and wine tastings.

Tourist cards include discounted admission to the city's main attractions and monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower, and often include a boat ride on the Seine. It may also include admission to the main museums in Paris.

Also remember that the monument is free for people under 18 years of age. In the case of people living in the European Union, people up to 25 years of age enter free of charge. Disabled persons and their caregivers are also admitted free of charge.

Yes, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris offers special tickets for children, as children under 18 years of age do not pay admission. The age range that can access the free entrance is larger for those living in the European Union, as people up to 25 years old enter for free.

On the other hand, tickets for children have a cost in case they want to attend the special events that usually take place at the monument, such as dramatized tours, workshops or various activities for the whole family.

To be aware, if you are visiting Paris with children, it is best to consult the official calendar of the monument and book in advance so as not to miss anything.

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the best viewpoints in Paris and one of the most visited monuments in the city, so buying tickets online has several advantages. On the one hand you will not waste time at the ticket office of the monument to buy it and you will only have to queue to enter.

That is, if you buy the ticket at the ticket office you will have to queue twice, one to buy your ticket and another to enter the Arc de Triomphe, which includes security checks. Please note that there is a luggage limit with which you can enter (40 x 40 x 20 cm) and that you do not have the option to store your luggage in the monument.

That is why it is best to buy your ticket online, although only tourist agencies offer tickets without queues. In addition, agencies offer promotional packages with your ticket that add other experiences such as city tours or cruises on the Seine River, which can enrich your visit to the Parisian capital.

The Arc de Triomphe is open daily from 10 am to 11 pm, but the latest opening time is 10:15 pm, 45 minutes before closing time. Please note that on some holidays it may be closed, such as January 1 in Paris, May 1 and December 25.

It may also be closed for other reasons, but they are usually announced on the official website of the monument. It may be due to adverse weather conditions or maintenance work, but these are exceptions and are usually announced in advance.

You need between 40 minutes and 1 hour to visit the Arc de Triomphe and see the views of Paris and the Champs Elysées, one of the most beautiful avenues in Paris. If you also visit the exhibition on its terrace, it may take you a little longer, depending on your interest and your own pace.

In addition, if you buy your ticket at the ticket office you may have some delay, especially in times of high tourist influx. If you buy your ticket at the ticket office, you will have to queue twice: once to buy your ticket and once to enter the monument. Therefore, to make the best use of your time, it is advisable to buy a ticket without queues or a ticket with guided tours by an expert.

On the other hand, keep in mind that you must climb stairs to the terrace (about 248 steps), which may take you more or less time depending on your pace of ascent. The monument has an elevator, but only people with reduced mobility, pregnant women and people with small children can use it.

The best time to visit the Arc de Triomphe is at sunset, when the sunlight reflects on the walls of the monument and its terrace offers one of the most beautiful views of the city. Another ideal time is at dusk, when the flame of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is located between the two columns of the monument, is lit.

In addition, there are times of the year that are ideal to visit the Arc de Triomphe, such as during the Christmas season in Paris, when you can appreciate the decorations and the special lighting of the city at night. It is also interesting to visit it during important events for the city such as the 14th of July in Paris, when you can see a military parade carrying a giant flag.

On the other hand, in Paris in winter, and also in autumn, there is less tourism in the city, so these are the best times of the year to visit the Arc de Triomphe with more tranquility and at your own pace.

The Arc de Triomphe is located in a commercial area of Paris and easily accessible from anywhere in the city, so it will not be difficult to get there. The monument is located in the Place Charles de Gaulle or Place de l'Etoile, in a traffic circle where 12 streets converge, including the Champs Elysees.

Being in a traffic circle, the heavy traffic makes it difficult to reach the monument, so it is best to use the pedestrian underpass, which is safer. This walkway has two entrances, one on the Champs Elysées and the other on the Avenue de la Grande Armee. There are metro and bus stations in the vicinity of the monument.

On the other hand, if you go by car, keep in mind that finding free parking in the vicinity is quite difficult, so it is best to look for a private one. Another practical way to get there is to use the tourist buses, which take you to the main attractions of the city in a very comfortable way.

In addition to climbing up to the terrace to contemplate the unmissable views there are several things you can learn during your visit to the Arc de Triomphe, to further enrich your experience at the Parisian monument:

• Terrace: without a doubt the view from the top is what visitors to the monument love the most, since from there you can see the Eiffel Tower and the Avenue des Champs Elysees, considered one of the most beautiful avenues in Paris.
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: it is located at the base of the monument, between the two columns. It was erected in 1921 to honor the soldiers who died in World War I (whose identity is unknown) with a flame that never goes out. It is renewed every day at sunset.
• The engravings: on the pillars under the vault are engraved the names of 128 battles fought during the Revolution and under the Empire, as well as the names of some of the main generals of the armies.
• Sculpted groups: located on the jambs, they evoke outstanding events in the history of France. The most famous is Le Départ des Volontaires, which commemorates an uprising for the Republic in 1792.
• Exhibition: if you are interested in learning more about the history of the monument and how it was built, you can visit the small exhibition located on the terrace of the monument. It is also a good idea to take a guided tour to learn all the details about this emblematic monument of Paris.