Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile
One of the most iconic and famous structures in Paris ( there are many!) is the Arc de Triomphe.
Located at the west end of Avenue des Champs-Elysees, this structure was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile honors the soldiers that fought in the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars. Their names are inscribed on the Arc itself.
There is also the Tomb of the Unknown soldier with flame below the Arc.
When we arrived, we didn’t know how to get there. The Arc is the center of a bunch of avenues and the circular traffic is known in many movies.
On Champs-Elysees, there is an entrance that goes below.
Once you get out, you will be right next to the Arc.
There was a huge line to go up. We had the Paris Pass, so that helped us go pass the waiting lines and straight to the stairs. YES I SAID STAIRS.
I read that the Arc is about the equivalent of a 15 story building…. so those spiral stairs will have you sucking wind quickly!!!
we got to where it is kinda like a tiny museum.
A couple more flights of stairs, you go outside and on top of the Arc.
There is also a gift shop and a small history lesson about the Arc when you go back inside again.
The Arc is truly gorgeous and when you break down the sculptures and inscriptions… you can’t stop looking at this monument with awe!
