Arc de Triomphe tickets: rooftop access and a practical visit plan

A short history of the Arc de Triomphe

The project began under Napoleon in 1806 and was completed in 1836 after interruptions and changes of regime. Architects looked to ancient triumphal arches, but the finished monument also reflects the political changes of nineteenth-century France.

That long construction story is worth keeping in mind as you approach. This is both a city landmark and a place of remembrance: give the monument itself some attention before heading straight for the view.

Why visit the Arc de Triomphe?

Choose this visit for the rooftop perspective on Paris and for a closer look at the monument. The avenues radiating from the arch make the city easier to understand than a photograph taken from street level.

Our suggestion is to use it as a shorter outdoor counterpoint to a museum day. If you are already planning the Louvre, leave a proper break and travel time between the two, or split them across different days.

• Plan a separate Louvre visit

Tickets and rooftop access

The two direct Ticketory products below both include the monument and rooftop. They are alternatives, not two tickets you need to buy together. Choose the one whose date, visitor category and terms fit your visit.

The second product lists an information booklet and a one-hour Seine cruise only when the corresponding option is selected. Do not assume the standard rooftop ticket includes a cruise. If you want the combination, check the boat operator, departure pier and date rules before paying.

A direct-entry description does not remove security checks. Keep the issued entry ticket available on your phone or on paper and follow the instructions for your selected booking.

Ticket prices and free-entry eligibility

Official admission varies by season, with concession and free-entry categories. Check the current official tariff and eligibility rules before comparing the final Ticketory total.

We keep package prices on the live booking page so you can compare the correct date and visitor category. Check the cost for your whole party, including children, and do not treat a starting price as a confirmed quote. Bring any evidence required for the ticket category you select.

For a combination, compare the two activities separately as well. The useful question is whether you want both visits and can fit their conditions into the day, rather than how many extras appear in the title.

Opening hours and closures

April–September: 10:00–23:00, with an 11:00 opening on Tuesdays. October–March: 10:00–22:30, again opening at 11:00 on Tuesdays. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing.

The official page lists holiday closures or morning closures on 1 May, 8 May, 14 July and 11 November, and a 16:00 closure on 24 and 31 December 2026. Ceremonies or bad weather can also affect access. Check the notice for your date before travelling.

Address and how to reach the monument

Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris. Use Charles-de-Gaulle–Étoile station on metro lines 1, 2 or 6, or RER A. Reach the monument through the Passage du Souvenir from the Champs-Élysées or Grande-Armée side.

Use that pedestrian passage rather than attempting to cross the traffic circle. Save the entrance location before leaving your accommodation and allow time to find the correct approach, especially when arriving close to your booking time.

What to look for

Give yourself time for three different parts of the visit: the exterior sculpture, the memorial beneath the arch and the rooftop view. Access to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is free; the rooftop requires the appropriate admission.

On the terrace, our suggestion is to start by following the lines of the avenues before concentrating on individual landmarks. Walk around at a comfortable pace and let other visitors pass when you stop for photographs. Visibility depends on the weather; a ticket cannot guarantee a clear skyline.

Entry rules and practical tips

The standard climb has 284 steps. Lift access is reserved for people who need it. Bags must fit within 40 × 40 × 20 cm; there is no luggage storage. Pushchairs remain at access control. Tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited.

If stairs or access arrangements are a concern, confirm the suitable route with the monument before choosing a ticket. Do not interpret a general reference to a lift as unrestricted lift access for every visitor.

Travel light and keep essential items together. A small bag is easier to manage on the stairs, and leaving a suitcase elsewhere avoids an unnecessary return journey. Follow staff directions around the memorial and during any ceremony.

• Save the actual admission ticket, not just the payment receipt.
• Check the weather before choosing a rooftop visit.
• Leave time for security and the climb.
• Confirm cruise details separately if you book a combination.

How long should you allow?

Our editorial suggestion is about 60–90 minutes for the monument and terrace, with extra time for arrival and queues. Allow longer if you prefer a slower climb or want to spend time with the displays.

A product duration is not a promise that you need exactly that long on the rooftop. Follow the validity and arrival conditions on your ticket. If you add a cruise, budget separately for travel to its departure pier and boarding; do not put the two activities back to back.

Winter visiting tips

Plan for an exposed rooftop rather than a fully indoor visit. Our advice is to bring a warm layer, check wind and rain forecasts and keep the next activity flexible. A clear daytime visit can be more useful for orientation than a rushed arrival near closing.

If you prefer an evening view, arrange your meal and return transport beforehand. In poor conditions, check access notices before setting out instead of assuming a purchased ticket means the terrace must be open. Keep any booking-specific change or refund instructions with your confirmation.

Arc de Triomphe: planning questions