The Arc de Triomphe

Why It's Called the Arc of the Star

The monument's full French name is Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, and since étoile means "star," it translates as the "Tri…

A Monument to Napoleon's Victories

Exit Charles de Gaulle–Étoile station at Exit 1 and the Arc de Triomphe comes into view. Walk to the entrance of the und…

The Underground Passage and Ticket Office

Once you come back up above ground, the Arc de Triomphe looms much closer, and you can make out fine details on its wall…

The Names Carved on the Pillars

Before you climb up to the terrace, take a closer look at the inner surfaces of the Arc's pillars. Step beneath the arch…

The Eternal Flame and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

At the center of the arch's floor burns an eternal flame, surrounded by an inscription in French honoring the unknown Fr…

Sculpture and Architecture on the Façade

From here, we will walk clockwise around the Arc, starting from the side facing the Champs-Élysées, to look at its major…

The Shields and Frieze Above the Front Face

The side you see when standing in front of the Arc on the Champs-Élysées end is its main façade. We will work our way do…

The Funeral of General Marceau and the Battle of Aboukir

Lower your gaze a little and you will see two reliefs on either side of the central arch. A relief is a sculpture carved…

'The Departure of the Volunteers' and 'The Triumph of 1810'

The sculptures on the pillars sit closest to eye level, so they are the easiest to appreciate.

The Battle of Jemappes Relief

That wraps up the sculptures on the front of the Arc. On your way clockwise around to the back, you will pass another re…

The Rear Frieze: The Return of the Armies

Walk past the side of the Arc to its back, and find a spot with a good view of the whole rear façade. We will go through…

The Battle of the Arcole Bridge and the Capture of Alexandria

The reliefs on either side of the rear arch show major victories from Napoleon's Italian and Egyptian campaigns.

'The Resistance of 1814' and 'The Peace of 1815'

The right-hand pillar holds "The Resistance of 1814" by Antoine Étex, which honors the French resistance fighters defeat…

The Battle of Austerlitz Relief and Heading Inside

With the rear sculptures covered, head around to the left side of the back for the last relief on the exterior.

Level 1: Marianne and the Yellow Vest Protests

You have reached the first level above the arch. The narrow staircase was tough going, but the terrace is still to come.…

Level 2: The Arc from Start to Finish

This is the second level above the arch, home to the staircase to the terrace, a gift shop, an exhibit on the history of…

The Disc-Shaped Roof at the Center of the Terrace

Welcome to the terrace, the highlight of the Arc de Triomphe. Before we start, pause the audio and take plenty of photos…

Haussmann's Paris, Seen from the Terrace

Head over to the spot with a view straight down the Champs-Élysées. Paris has hardly any mountains, just flat ground and…