The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, at the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris. The arch was commissioned by Napoleon as a tribute to the French army.
History
Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 AD to commemorate the victory at Austerlitz. The arch was completed by King Louis Philippe in 1836 AD. In 1840, Napoleon’s remains were brought back from St. Helena and passed under the arc before being laid to rest at the Invalides.
The Arc de Triomphe became the rallying point of the French Nationalists and is the venue for the annual Bastille Day Military Parade. Famed victory marches like the Germans in 1871, the French in 1919, the Germans again in 1940 and finally the Allies in 1944 have passed under its arch, before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was created. Today the parades march around the arch instead of passing through it to honour the tomb.
Information
| Days | Everyday except Jan1, May 1and Dec 25 | |||
| Closed in Mornings on may8, Jun 14, Nov 11 | ||||
| Timing | Apt 1 to Sep 30 | 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM | ||
| Oct 1 to Mar 31 | 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM | |||
| Entrance Fee | Adults | 8 € | ||
| Students(18 to 25 years) | 5 € | |||
| Group(> 20 adults) | 6.20 € | |||
| Children and Student <17 years | FREE | |||
| Counters close 30 mins. before the closing time | ||||
| Reach | RER | Line A, Station –Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile | ||
| Metro | Lines 1,2 and 6,Station – Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile | |||
| Car | Outside Paris | Exit Porte Maillot and avenue de la Grande Armée or exit Porte Dauphine and avenue Foch | ||
| Inside Paris | Drive up the Champs Elysées | |||
Best time to Visit: July 14th – Bastille Day Parade
The Bastille Day parade is a popular event in France. It is French military parade held on the morning of 14 July each year in Paris since 1880.The parade follows the length of the Champs Elysees to the Place de la Concorde. A huge flag billows from the Arch’s crown creating a colourful scene.
References: Official Site, Wikipedia
Photo Courtesy – wikipedia
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