Arc de Triomphe

History & Background
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The Arc de Triomphe is located at the end of the Champs-Elysees in the Place Charles de Gaulle. It was designed in 1806 by architect Jean Chalgrin. It sits on a roundabout with 12 exits, like the centre of a clock face.

The name gives away what the monument is, an arc. It stands over 51 metres in height and is 45 metres wide. It is a giant 3D rectangle with an arc carved out in the middle.

The Arc de Triomphe is quite famous and recognised as one of France's most famous monuments; its purpose was to honour those who fought for France in any of the Napoleonic wars. It is also home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Today the Arc de Triomphe is recognised as an international tourist hot spot and somewhere to visit of national interest and historic meaning to the French people.

Our Visit
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On my most recent trip to Paris we decided to go up the Arc de Triomphe, I have been to Paris many times and was never aware you could actually go up this monument. We usually focus on the Eiffel Tower which this time was temporarily closed. Due to the minimum amount of time we had, my friends and I decided to walk up the Champs-Elysees to the Arc.

We realised walking towards it that we could indeed see people on top, so decided that we would choose this option to see Paris from above.

Out of the 6 of us, there were 3 over 25's and 3 under. Me being one of the under 25's I was pleased as everywhere in Paris (and even the Eurostar) seems to operate a 'youth' option which is for those aged between 16-25. Great I fitted that bracket nicely. This leads us to cost.

The Price
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Over 25's paid 9 Euro each, whilst us that were under the 25 divide paid nothing. Yes nothing. On the price list it said 6 Euro for under 25's and ID is required (passport is advised). But on passing over my passport and 6 Euro the nice gentlemen told me I was allowed to enter for free. At first I thought I was special but then realised my sister and our friend had also got in for free.

I don't know if we had stumbled across a special occasion or if the price tiers change at the weekend but we didn't pay a penny, or should I say Euro.

Children cost nothing also if they are under 16 and accompanied by a paying adult.

You don't need to pay anything for access to the round about to walk around the site but the payment is for going in and up the Arc.

Inside the Arc
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You enter the Arc and immediately on your right have to present a ticket to the lady/man stuck in the tiny ticket booth that has obviously been added inside the doorway.

You proceed to ascend the stair case which has 234 steps and no lift. It is a spiral and quite compact although not overly tight, I have been in smaller stair cases where I have wondered how anyone over my height has it. There was plenty of room for the 4 six foot men we were with.

There are two floors open to the public and when you get up the first stair case you come out on to an open floor that is still inside the Arc. It is nice and cool in here and there are benches at the top of the stairs for those that need to catch their breath.

On this first floor is information about the Arc and its history, there is also a computer and map with the other entire Arc's in the world on, you can click an Arc and it tells you all about it. This floor is more like a mini museum although it is very open and the toilets are here, there isn't much else.

You can then go up some more stairs out on to the terrace, which is the roof. The rood is rectangle in shape and has a barrier/fence around the edge to stop anyone tempted to jump or push anyone. It feels safe and more open than the Eiffel Tower as there is nothing overhead.

Although not as high as the Eiffel Tower it is still quite high and has fantastic views of Paris, the Seine is less visible than from the Eiffel Tower but it is great to get the Eiffel Tower in some pictures and in the view rather than looking from it.

Around the edge of the building, by the fence is a platform, or to put it more clearly, the outside edge where you view from, is raised. This whole attraction doesn't suitable people that are in wheelchairs or have walking disabilities.

Outside the Arc
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The Arc is decorated in memory to the French soldiers who fought for France and died; it looks very much like a memorial with a lot of writing on the Arc itself. I know this is also the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and I think this is his grave beneath the Arc, this is sealed off, and there is a flame.

The Arc is white and the writing is in a language that I am not sure of; I would say it is Latin or European but not French or English.

The Arc is nice to look at and is a most eye catching piece of architecture; it does really grab your attention, even from half way down the Champs-Elysees.

Overall
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I really enjoyed visiting the Arc de Triomphe, it is something I think could be easily overlooked. I have been under the under pass to the roundabout underneath to the Arc but never up it and for free, I cannot argue the value for money it is. I think perhaps splitting the cost between two of you would make it more affordable at 4.5 Euro each but either way if you are under 25, 6 Euro is reasonable.

It is something that once you have done it, you probably won't do it again but it is worth it, it is a great picture and I think a lot quieter at the top than the Eiffel Tower which always seems overcrowded.