Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is a monument in Paris as recognized as the well-known Eiffel Tower. If you ever have the chance to travel to Paris you can not forget to visit this monument. Not only it has a huge structure but it also has an amazing history.
Standing at the top you can watch Parisian life from up high and contemplate the world famous views. Not every one will be aloud to reach the bottom, remember there is a spiral staircase of 286 steps. If you think can reach the bottom do not hesitate and do it!

LOCATION
Around the Arc de Triomphe is the Place Charles de Gaulle. This is a huge roundabout. The Arc de Triomphe is at the end of the best known road in Paris - the Avenue des champs Elysées. To reach the Arch, you need to take the subway passage under the roundabout. It is located in a strategic point and it seems that the whole city is at its feet. The top of the arch features a viewing platform from where you have great views of La Defense, the Champs-Elysées and the Sacré-Coeur.

HEIGHT
The size of this masterpiece is not minor detail. It has a height if 49 meters and 45 meters wide. You might not be surprised by the photographs but it is stunning when you see it lively.

HISTORY
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It was commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napoleon I at the peak of his fortunes.
This place saves many stories like the one about the lost soldier that was buried during the Second World War as recognition of his and his companion’s bravery. Every day a candle is lighted at 18:30 to honour him.
The Astylar design is by Jean Chalgrin (1739–1811), in the Neoclassical version of ancient Roman architecture. There is one statue in each of the 4 pillars. The four sculptural groups at the base of the Arc are The Triumph of 1810, Resistance, Peace and La Marseillaise.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
The triumphal arch is adorned with many reliefs, most of them commemorating the emperor's battles. At the top of the arch are shields, each of them bears the name of one of Napoleon's successful battles. On the four inside faces of the arc 558 names of French military heroes were written. Tip: The names of those who died while they were battling are underlined.

TIMES
Consider this timetable if you want to visit the Arc:
Daily: from 9:30 a.m. to 23:00 p.m. (April to September)
Daily: from 10:00 a.m. to 22:30 p.m. (October to March)
You will find a museum advocated only to the history of the Arc. The hours are: from 10:00 to 17:30. You will have to pay a ticket there.
To remember: At the Paris Tourist Office (127, avenue des Champs-Elysées) you will get information in case you need it.
Trips to Paris are classis all around the world but you can turn it special if you visit the Arc de Triomphe.

Transport

Metro: Line 1, 2, 6 station “Charles de Gaulle-Etoile”.
RER: line A station “Charles de Gaulle-Etoile”.
BUS: line 30. 31, 92, 73, 52, 22.
Special Bus: Balabus, Paris L'OpenTour and Les Cars Rouges.