Paris · Place Charles de Gaulle · Monument and viewpoint

Arc de Triomphe: Free Tomb, Rooftop Tickets and Visiting Guide

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the meeting of Paris's great avenues. You can pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for free; a ticket takes you inside and up to the panoramic terrace.

By the AllTrips Editorial Team ·

Close aerial view of the sculpted Arc de Triomphe above the surrounding Paris avenues
The arch's sculpted façade and carved frieze rise above the avenues at Place Charles de Gaulle.

Arc de Triomphe at a glance

Area: Place Charles de Gaulle, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. Allow: around 1–1½ hours with a terrace visit. Entry: free access to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; ticket required for the monument and rooftop unless eligible for free admission. Nearby: Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne and the western avenues.

The distinction matters: a free view of the arch and its memorial is not the same as entering the monument. If the rooftop panorama is your goal, check a ticket's terrace inclusion and the latest access notice before booking.

What can you see?

At ground level, take time with the monumental reliefs, inscriptions and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the arch. This is a memorial, not simply a backdrop for photographs. The tomb is free to access according to the monument's official visitor information.

The ticketed terrace opens a different perspective: broad avenues radiate from the traffic circle, with the Champs-Élysées extending toward central Paris and La Défense visible in the other direction. Your three photos show the monument from above and nearby, but they are not examples of the view from its public rooftop; plan your visit with that distinction in mind.

Free memorial or ticketed rooftop?

If you only want to see the exterior and the tomb, you do not need a rooftop ticket. For the interior and terrace, check the Centre des monuments nationaux's official ticket office first. Tiqets' Arc de Triomphe page offers an entry ticket with rooftop access as well as separate bundles and combinations. The affiliate link opens the selection, not a prepaid ticket: choose the individual entry offer if you do not want additional attractions.

Direct booking

Official Arc de Triomphe tickets

Check live admission, free-entry eligibility and terrace conditions at the monument's official ticket office.

Official ticket office

Alternative booking · affiliate link

Arc de Triomphe on Tiqets

Compare the rooftop-entry ticket with separately priced bundles; check what's included before paying.

Compare Arc tickets on Tiqets

The Tiqets button is an affiliate link: AllTrips may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. No purchase is needed to access the tomb.

Planning your visit

Do not cross the traffic circle. Use the pedestrian underpass to reach the arch and follow the signs for the monument. Check the official practical-information page for opening arrangements, closures and accessibility; ceremonies or severe weather can affect access.

At the September 2026 review, the monument's official site said the elevator was under maintenance until further notice and the terrace was accessible by stairs only. If stairs would be difficult, recheck that notice before paying rather than relying on an older accessibility description. Arrive with enough time to climb and enjoy the terrace without rushing; the official page gives the current last-admission rule.

Why was the arch built?

The project began under Napoleon I in 1806, after his military victories. Construction continued through political changes and the arch was completed in 1836. The design evokes ancient triumphal arches, including the Arch of Titus in Rome, which the monument's own history names as an architectural reference. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier later gave the site another enduring role as a place of remembrance.

Arc de Triomphe in photos

High aerial photograph of the Arc de Triomphe and radiating Paris avenues
An aerial view makes the star-shaped meeting of avenues at Place Charles de Gaulle clear; this is not the public terrace view.
Aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe with a French flag beneath its arch
The arch and surrounding traffic circle from above. Access the monument by the pedestrian underpass, never by crossing the roadway.

What is nearby?

The Champs-Élysées stretches away from the monument toward the centre of Paris; Avenue Montaigne is another nearby landmark street. For other paid monuments and free sights, use the Paris attractions map to compare areas and ticket needs.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Arc de Triomphe free to visit?

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the arch is free to access, according to the monument's official visitor information. Entering the monument and climbing to the rooftop terrace requires a ticket, unless you qualify for free admission under the official rules.

How do you reach the Arc de Triomphe safely?

Use the pedestrian underpass to reach the monument in the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle. Do not try to cross the surrounding traffic circle on foot. Follow the current signs for the entrance.

Can you take an elevator to the rooftop?

The official monument site currently says its elevator is under maintenance until further notice and terrace access is by stairs only. Check the official accessibility notice before buying, especially if stairs would be difficult for you.

What does the Tiqets link sell?

The link opens Tiqets' Arc de Triomphe page, which lists an entry and rooftop-access ticket alongside separately priced bundles and combination tickets. Check the exact product inclusions before paying.

How much time should I allow?

Allow roughly 1–1½ hours if you plan to climb to the terrace, see the displays and pause at the tomb. A brief exterior visit to the free tomb area can take less time.

Official sources and visitor information

Reviewed September 2026. Access, elevator status, admission and Tiqets product listings can change; check current details before visiting or buying.