Arc de Triomphe: Tickets, Rooftop Access & Insider Tips

The Arc de Triomphe is one of those places that actually delivers on the hype.

You’ve seen it a thousand times in photos — this massive stone arch at the top of the Champs-Elysées, twelve avenues radiating out from it like the spokes of a wheel. But standing on the rooftop terrace, 164 feet above Paris, watching the sun drop behind the Eiffel Tower and the city lights come up along the Seine? That’s something a photo doesn’t prepare you for.

We’ve lived in France for years now, and we still make a point of bringing every friend and family member who visits to the top of this thing. It’s the single best panoramic view in Paris — better than the Eiffel Tower, honestly, because you’re actually looking at the Eiffel Tower instead of standing on it.

This guide covers everything you need to plan your visit: current ticket prices, the best time to go, how to skip the line, and a few things most tourists don’t know about (like the nightly flame ceremony that’ll stop you in your tracks).

What Makes the Arc de Triomphe Worth Visiting

Napoleon commissioned this arch in 1806, right after crushing the Austrian and Russian armies at Austerlitz. He wanted a monument grand enough to match the victory — and it took 30 years to finish. By the time it was completed in 1836, Napoleon himself was already dead.

Today, the Arc de Triomphe sits at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, where twelve of Paris’s most famous avenues meet in a star pattern (which is why it’s also called Place de l’Étoile — “the star”). From the rooftop, you can trace all twelve avenues stretching out in every direction. The Champs-Elysées runs southeast toward the Louvre. La Défense’s modern skyline glitters to the northwest. And directly south, the Eiffel Tower stands framed against the sky.

But there’s more to it than the view.

Beneath the arch, at ground level, you’ll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier — the final resting place of an unidentified French soldier from World War I, interred here in 1921. An eternal flame has burned above his grave since 1923, and every single evening at 6:30 PM, a veterans’ association rekindles it in a brief, solemn ceremony that’s open to the public and free to attend. If you have any connection to military service — or even if you don’t — it’s genuinely moving. We’d recommend arriving a few minutes early to get a good spot.

Halfway up, there’s a small museum with artifacts and documents tracing the monument’s construction and its role in French history. It takes about 10 minutes to walk through, and it gives good context before you hit the terrace.

Arc de Triomphe Tickets and Prices (Updated for 2026)

Here’s what admission costs right now. These prices cover everything — the museum inside and the rooftop terrace:

Our recommendation: Buy your ticket online before you go. The line at the ticket window can eat 30–45 minutes on a busy day, and an online ticket gets you into the reserved entry lane on the right side of the arch. It’s the same price — you’re just saving yourself the wait.

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When to Visit the Arc de Triomphe (and When to Avoid It)

Sunset is the magic window. You get the golden light hitting the buildings, then you watch Paris transition into its nighttime glow — the Eiffel Tower sparkles on the hour, the Champs-Elysées lights up below you, and La Défense turns into a wall of glass and light in the distance. It’s the best 30 minutes you’ll spend on any rooftop in Europe.

That said, sunset is also peak crowd time. If you prefer fewer people around you, go right at opening (10:00 AM) or later in the evening — in summer the monument stays open until 11:00 PM, so a 9:00 PM visit can be surprisingly calm.

Closed on: May 1, mornings of May 8, July 14, and November 11, plus December 25 and January 1. Always double-check the official site before a visit, especially around holidays — they occasionally close for ceremonies or weather.

How to Get to the Arc de Triomphe

The closest metro station is Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, served by Metro lines 1, 2, and 6, plus RER line A. When you exit the station, follow the signs to “Arc de Triomphe.”

The tunnel also serves as the entrance for ticket holders. When you come up on the other side, you’ll see two lines: one for general admission (tickets at the door), and one marked “Entrée Réservée” for online ticket holders. Go right. If you’re coming from CDG Airport, take the RER B into Paris and transfer to Metro Line 1 or RER A to reach Charles de Gaulle–Étoile. From Orly, take Metro Line 14 into central Paris and connect from there. We’ve got a full breakdown of airport transfers in our Paris transportation guide.

If you’re coming from CDG Airport, take the RER B into Paris and transfer to Metro Line 1 or RER A to reach Charles de Gaulle–Étoile. From Orly, take Metro Line 14 into central Paris and connect from there. We’ve got a full breakdown of airport transfers in our Paris transportation guide.

What to Expect During Your Visit (Step by Step)

Here’s how a typical visit plays out, so there are no surprises:

1. Enter through the underground tunnel from the Champs-Elysées. Show your ticket at security (mobile tickets work fine — no need to print). Expect a quick bag check.

2. Climb 284 steps to the rooftop terrace. There’s no sugar-coating it — it’s a spiral staircase, and it’s narrow. Take your time. There are small landings along the way where you can rest. If you have mobility issues, there is a lift that goes to the museum level and the terrace — ask at the entrance. (You’ll need to demonstrate reduced mobility; a note from your doctor or a visible mobility aid is typically sufficient.)

3. Stop at the museum on your way up. It’s small but well done — models of the arch, historical documents, and context about the names engraved on the pillars (they’re French military leaders and battles). Budget about 10 minutes here.

4. The rooftop terrace is the main event. A full 360-degree view. You’ll see the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, Montparnasse Tower, La Défense, and the full length of the Champs-Elysées stretching toward the Louvre. On a clear day, you can see for miles. Plan to spend at least 20–30 minutes up here.

5. On the way down, walk around the base of the arch at ground level to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame. This area is free and open to everyone. If it’s close to 6:30 PM, stick around for the flame-rekindling ceremony — it lasts about 15 minutes, and it’s something you won’t forget.

Total time: Plan for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Longer if you’re a photographer or visit at sunset.

Our Take: Why We Keep Coming Back

“We’ve probably been to the top of the Arc de Triomphe a dozen times at this point. Every time someone visits us in Paris, it’s one of the first things we do. The rooftop view makes the whole layout of the city suddenly make sense — you see how the avenues connect, where the river bends, how Haussmann designed everything to line up. It’s the best orientation you can get, and it only takes an hour. Our advice: go about 45 minutes before sunset, watch the light change, and then walk down to the flame ceremony. That sequence is pure magic.”

— Colleen & Antoine, Les Frenchies Travel

How much time do you need to see the Arc de Triomphe?

Allow about 45 minutes to 1 hour for the full visit.

You’ll spend 10–15 minutes climbing the stairs (284 steps) and another 30–45 minutes enjoying the view and exhibitions. NOTE: The building has an elevator for those who need it with reduced mobility (You will need a justification.

TIP: Go at sunset for the best light and photos of Paris.

7 Tips Most Visitors Don’t Know

1. The flame ceremony is a hidden gem. Every evening at 6:30 PM, veterans rekindle the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It’s free, it’s public, and most tourists walk right past it. The ceremony has happened every single day since 1923 — including during the Nazi occupation. If you’re visiting near sunset anyway, time it so you can do both.
2. Don’t come on a Tuesday morning. The monument opens an hour late on Tuesdays (11:00 AM instead of 10:00 AM). Easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.
3. Wednesdays in summer are a bargain. During high season (June–September), the online ticket drops to €16 on Wednesdays — versus €21 every other day. Same monument, cheaper price.
4. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is free to visit. You don’t need a ticket to walk under the arch and pay your respects at ground level. The ticket is only required for the museum and rooftop.
5. Leave the big bags behind. Bags larger than about 16x16x8 inches aren’t allowed inside, and neither are selfie sticks, tripods, or strollers. You can leave strollers with security at the entrance.
6. Free first Sundays run November through March. On the first Sunday of each month during the low season, everyone gets in free. It’s wonderful, but it gets crowded — arrive right at opening.
7. The Paris Museum Pass skips the ticket line. If you have one, you go straight to the security line without stopping at the ticket booth first. Big time saver on busy days.

Frequently Ask Questions

Ready to Book Your Visit?

We’ve visited the Arc de Triomphe more times than we can count, and our top recommendation is simple: book a skip-the-line ticket online, go at sunset, and stay for the flame ceremony at 6:30 PM. That combination is, in our experience, one of the best hours you can spend in Paris.