Paris · Louvre & central Paris · Free public square
Place de la Concorde: Free Square, Obelisk and Fountains
See the Luxor Obelisk, fountains and broad Paris views without a ticket. The square is free; nearby paid activities are entirely optional.
By the AllTrips Editorial Team ·
Place de la Concorde at a glance
Area: Between the Champs-Élysées and the Tuileries Garden. Allow: 15–25 minutes for the square itself. Entry: free public space, no ticket required. Nearby: Tuileries Garden, Musée de l'Orangerie and Petit Palais.
The square is a crossroads as well as a landmark. Its open space makes the obelisk, two monumental fountains and surrounding facades easy to appreciate, but it is also edged by active roads: take your time at the crossings.
What should you look for?
In the centre stands the Luxor Obelisk, brought from Egypt and erected here in the nineteenth century. On either side are the Fontaine des Mers and Fontaine des Fleuves. From the square, look west along the Champs-Élysées, east toward the Tuileries, and south toward the Seine.
Photographs of the fountains show them operating, but water displays and sightlines may differ on your visit because of maintenance, events or temporary works. Seeing the square never depends on a fountain being switched on.
A short history of the square
Originally laid out as Place Louis XV in the eighteenth century, this space was renamed during the French Revolution. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed here, among many others. The later name, Place de la Concorde, evokes reconciliation rather than the violence associated with the square's revolutionary years.
The Egyptian obelisk and nineteenth-century fountains changed the appearance of the square after that period. Today it remains a major public place, rather than a museum enclosure.
Is a ticket needed?
No: there is no admission ticket to enter Place de la Concorde. The Tiqets link below opens a destination page for optional paid experiences around the area; it is not a pass for the square. If you are interested in a tour or nearby museum, check the exact attraction, meeting point, date and inclusions before buying.
Optional nearby experiences · affiliate link
Explore around Concorde on Tiqets
Browse separately priced activities and nearby sights. Visiting the public square, obelisk and fountains does not require a ticket.
See nearby activities on TiqetsThis Tiqets link is an affiliate link: AllTrips may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The square itself is free.
Planning your visit
The square sits at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées and the western edge of the Tuileries. Approach from a marked crossing and obey traffic lights; do not step across traffic lanes for a photograph. Events, construction and traffic arrangements can change access to parts of the square, so follow on-site signs.
If you want the obelisk and both fountains in one visit, allow time to look from different safe pedestrian areas. You can also pair the square with the Tuileries or the Petit Palais, whose permanent collection is free.
Place de la Concorde in photos
What is nearby?
Head east for the Tuileries Garden and Musée de l'Orangerie, west for the Champs-Élysées, or toward the Petit Palais and Grand Palais. Our Paris attractions map shows how these places fit together.
Frequently asked questions
Is Place de la Concorde free to visit?
Yes. It is a public square, and there is no admission ticket to see the obelisk or fountains from the square. Separate nearby museums, tours and activities may charge.
What does the Tiqets link include?
The link opens Tiqets' Place de la Concorde destination page with optional paid activities and nearby attraction listings. It is not a ticket to enter the square; check each offer's description and inclusions before booking.
How long should I allow for the square?
Around 15–25 minutes is enough for a look at the obelisk, fountains and surrounding views. Allow longer for photographs or a separate attraction.
What is the obelisk in the middle?
It is the Luxor Obelisk, an ancient Egyptian monument from Luxor that was erected in Place de la Concorde in the nineteenth century.
Can I cross the square anywhere?
No. Traffic can be busy around the square; use marked pedestrian crossings and follow current signs, especially when events or works alter the layout.
Planning sources
- OpenStreetMap — Place de la Concorde location
- Tiqets — Place de la Concorde destination and current optional offers
Reviewed September 2026. On-site access and temporary events may change; follow current signs and check any individually booked activity before travel.