What an outstanding landmark. We visited here and it was beautiful. If you think about the history of this monument and see it for yourself, it's just perfect. Beautiffuly lit at night makes it worth a second visit if you only go during the day. Unfortunately, you can only view it from across the street unless you purchase a ticket.

The Arc de Triomphe was one of our favorite destinations in all of Paris, and we visited and climbed to the top on our second day in Paris as it helps you find the lay of the land with its outstanding views. The climb was not too bad at all and anyone who is in halfway decent athletic shape will not mind the climb at all. Additionally, it is nice and cool and windy at the top. To get to the Arc de Triomphe and make the most of your visit start the walk there from the Champ-Elysses so you can approach it and see it in all its grandeur. It is an impressive landmark and is best taken in with a slow walk and then enjoying the 360 degree views from the top. One point of note - we had the Paris Museum Pass for this memorable site and we highly recommend you buy the pass as it saves you from waiting on long lines here and in many other locations.

As the title of this review says, I highly recommend going to the top! I agree with other reviews that this is the best view of Paris. We visited the first week in June during the French Open (the city seemed pretty busy) and did not buy tickets in advance. We went on a Tuesday (late morning/early afternoon) and there were about 2 people in front of us to buy tickets. At the monument, we waited maybe 20 minutes in line before it was our turn to go through security - it moves at a decent pace. All in it’s about 300 stairs to the top, most are part of a spiral staircase. There are little alcoves where people can stop and rest if needed. We were operating on very little sleep, and although I "felt the burn" in my legs, walking up was kind of fun and is totally worth it. There is also an elevator that goes to the top. As the monument is in the middle of a huge roundabout, walking access is via an underground passage at the top of Avenue des Champs-Elysées and Avenue de la Grande-Armée. This is also where tickets are purchased. Note that the passage is only accessed via staircase, but the website provides alternate accessibility instructions. We forgot to read where the entrance was in advance and were a bit confused trying to follow the signs on the street. Eventually we made it though! The monument itself is really impressive and stunning even if you don't go to the top, but I really recommend you do!

I'll start by explaining that this is one of the 4 monuments spread across Paris, when I went I didn't know that, I thought they were all the same, and unfortunately I missed the opportunity to see the Arc de Triomphe of the Carrousel (it's next to the Louvre museum, on the carousel square) which is a completely different work of art, made with pink marble. So if you get there, put it on Google Maps and realize that it has 3 different addresses, that's why. I recommend visiting at least these two, this original Arc de Triomphe which has an incredible view from the terrace and the Louvre. About this Arc de Triomphe itself, it is included in the Museum Pass, I also recommend getting the free leaflet that explains the history of the monument. Outside there are countless details carved on all sides, you have to look up to the ceiling because everything has some art. As soon as you enter you go through a search of bags and jackets, and then go up the stairs, it's a little tiring, this is where my journey with asthma started to get funny. Arriving on the first floor there is an explanatory room showing a little about the history of the arch, its construction, with models, small shop and bathroom, for collectors here there are those souvenir notes. Then you climb another small staircase and arrive at the famous arch terrace. The view is incredible, 360, you can see the entire city, if you understand a little about the city map you can even locate some points like the Sacre Coeur church and obviously the Eiffel Tower. The only “defect” is that it has a huge iron fence on the edges, so it’s not the best place to take a photo of yourself with the tower in the background, it would be better if it were glass. But the view is totally worth it, make sure you go on a day that isn't cloudy so the view is better and enjoy the trip, I recommend it for everyone, couples, families, a short and fun trip. There are also many bars and restaurants around if you want to relax afterwards.

The Arc de Triomphe was one of our favorite destinations in all of Paris. We visited and climbed to the top on our second day in the city, as it helps you get your bearings with its breathtaking views. The climb is not difficult at all and anyone who is in good physical shape will have no problems with it. Also, at the top it is cool and windy. To reach the Arc de Triomphe and make the most of your visit, start the hike from the Champs-Elysees so you can get up close and see it in all its grandeur. It is a stunning monument best appreciated with a slow walk and then enjoying 360 degree views from the top. One highlight: we had the Paris Museum Pass for this memorable site and we highly recommend you buy it as it saves you from waiting in long lines here and many other places.

This was included in the Paris/Museum Pass and we didn't need to book or buy tickets on arrival. It turned out to be one of the best experiences we had. The designs and reliefs are elegant and the scale of the place is breathtaking - plenty of historical info on display inside too. There's a certain reverence, cleanliness and pride surrounding the monument and I think that adds to the value of the visit. The views from the terrace are well worth paying for, especially if you visit when it's dark as we did. The view towards the Eiffel Tower is a nice way to end the day and it connects directly to the metro from the access tunnel albeit after a very, very long walk.

My wife and I visited the Arc de Triomphe on a busy Sunday evening in May. We took the elevator to the top and looked around. Magical views of Paris, especially as the sun was setting. Great views of the Eiffel Tower, Montemartre and the city's financial district. There is also a shop as you come back down from the roof - lots of nice items to purchase. Really enjoyed the visit!

I always like to get a view of the cities I visit from a high point. Paris is very busy and the queues for the Eiffel Tower were huge, so I decided to pay a little less and go up the Arc de Triomphe instead. I am very glad I made that choice. I didn't cost me very much to enter the Arc and to climb the stairs to the top. There are a few exhibitions on the way up, along with a small shop. The real attraction is the view from the terrace at the top. When I thought about my place to view Paris from I'd sort of discounted the Arc de Triomphe, thinking it not high enough. I was so wrong. The view from the top of the Arc was incredible, with wonderful views of the Eiffel Tower. I read someone else say the Eiffel Tower is the big attraction so why climb that for a view? Climb the Arc or the Montparnasse tower instead. He or she was right. The Arc de Triomphe is a lot cheaper than the Eiffel Tower or the Montparnasse Tower too. There are a lot of stairs...but you can do it. Go on!

Please take the underground tunnel to get to the Arc. I saw way too many people running across the traffic circle which was incredibly dangerous. This was a trip highlight. I must have been lucky because there wasn’t a line to purchase a ticket (three people ahead of me) so access was a breeze. The price of tickets at the Arc is almost half as much as what I noticed online so do some comparison shopping. Once you’re up inside an informative video about the construction of the Arc is playing alongside historical timelines. There is also a good size gift shop. Climbing up the last set of stairs was so worth seeing all of Paris and the Eiffel Tower rising above it all. You can stay as long as you like up top so enjoy spotting all the monuments. Timing your visit to coincide with dusk and the sunset would be even more magical.

The Arc de Triomphe and Place Charles de Gaulle were definitely worth a visit, even if we did not climb up the arch. The Arc de Triomphe itself is impressive: With its massive size and detailed reliefs depicting scenes from French military history, it is a true masterpiece of architecture. Particularly remarkable is the monumental dimension of the structure, which really makes you feel like you are standing in front of something historical and significant. Place Charles de Gaulle, which surrounds the Arc, is a central hub in Paris, and although traffic here can seem very lively and chaotic, it is precisely this dynamic that contributes to the special atmosphere. The many streets that run towards the square give it a certain energy that reinforces the impression of a vibrant metropolis. The view of the square and the arc from different perspectives was very impressive, even if the traffic and the hustle and bustle are of course noticeable. Although we decided to skip the climb to the arch, the stay in front of the Arc de Triomphe was still fascinating. The historical significance of the place and the opportunity to see the building up close made the visit a worthwhile experience. Even if the square is heavily trafficked and traffic never really comes to a halt, that has been part of the charm of this landmark for us. A short but very interesting stop on our exploration of Paris.