The Arc de Triomphe is the one Paris monument you reach by walking under a roundabout. Inside Arc de Triomphe stone there is a tomb at the bottom, a long climb, a small museum and a terrace over twelve avenues. This page gives you an Arc de Triomphe map of the area, the route through the monument and a note on every level. If you have not bought your entry yet, my guide to tickets for the Arc de Triomphe shows what each option includes.
Arc de Triomphe Map: the Underpass, Stations and Sights
This Arc de Triomphe map shows the monument with the nearest stations and the sights within walking distance, from Google Maps data.
Charles de Gaulle-Etoile · Station · about 1 min walk
Kléber · Station · about 4 min walk
George V · Station · about 7 min walk
Argentine · Station · about 7 min walk
Ternes · Station · about 9 min walk
Victor Hugo · Station · about 13 min walk
Boissière · Station · about 14 min walk
Courcelles · Station · about 14 min walk
Neuilly Porte Maillot · Station · about 16 min walk
Iéna · Station · about 16 min walk
Alma-Marceau · Station · about 18 min walk
The address is Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris. Charles de Gaulle-Etoile is the nearest station, about 50 m away by Google Maps, and the official practical page lists Metro lines 1, 2 and 6, RER A and several bus lines. Kleber is about 260 m away, a 4-minute walk by my estimate (straight line times 1.3 at 4.8 km/h), and George V and Argentine are about 7 minutes. The Eiffel Tower is about 1.7 km away, roughly 28 minutes on foot on the same estimate, and Place de la Concorde is about 2.1 km, a walk of 34 minutes.
You do not cross the square to reach the monument. The official practical information says access is by the Passage du Souvenir, at the top of the Champs-Elysees or the Avenue de la Grande-Armee.
Is There an Official Map of Inside Arc de Triomphe?
I looked for an official floor plan and could not find a map of the interior on paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr, so I am not linking one. The accessibility page does show a plan of the forecourt, with the drop-off point on the Avenue de la Grande-Armee side for visitors with reduced mobility, but it is an image without a separate link. The route below is my own reading order, based on the official site, Wikipedia and the listings.
My Arc de Triomphe opening hours guide has the hours and last admission, which is 45 minutes before closing per the official page.
The Route I Would Take Inside Arc de Triomphe
This is what to see inside Arc de Triomphe, from the street to the top. I leave the times blank because the official site gives no time for any level, and I will not invent one.
My route inside the Arc de Triomphe
1Passage du SouvenirThe underpass from the avenues
2Tomb of the Unknown SoldierGround level, under the arch
3Sculpted groupsAt the base, outside
4First flight, 180 stepsRest landings with seats
5Museum hallExhibition about the monument
6Rooftop terraceOrientation tables and views
The Passage du Souvenir to Reach Inside Arc de Triomphe
Every visit begins underground. The passage links the pavements of the Champs-Elysees and the Avenue de la Grande-Armee to the forecourt, and the official accessibility page warns that wheelchair users can be dropped only on the Avenue de la Grande-Armee side. The practical page lists the bag rules at the entrance: a maximum of 40 x 40 x 20 cm, no left luggage and no pushchairs. Prohibited items include selfie poles, tripods, scooters, glass bottles and sharp objects.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Inside Arc de Triomphe
Under the arch, the tomb holds a soldier of the First World War, with an eternal flame above it, according to Wikipedia. The coffin was placed in the first-floor chapel on 10 November 1920 and reached its final resting place on 28 January 1921. The inscription reads that a French soldier who died for the fatherland rests there. A ceremony is held every 11 November. The official site has a longer article, the Unknown Soldier, if you want the story.
The Sculpted Groups at the Base
Four sculpted groups stand at the foot of the monument, and you see them from the forecourt before you go in. Wikipedia names The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792, known as La Marseillaise, by Francois Rude, The Triumph of 1810 by Jean-Pierre Cortot, and The Resistance of 1814 and The Peace of 1815 by Antoine Etex. Look also at the inscriptions: Wikipedia counts 30 shields on the attic naming victories, and 96 battles engraved on the inner faces under the great arches.
The First Flight and the 284 Steps Inside Arc de Triomphe
The official site says access is by the stairs and that the lift is being modernised. It gives 284 steps in all, with an initial flight of 180, and several landings with seating. It does not recommend the climb to people who find stairs difficult or to children who are not yet confident on their own feet. Wikipedia describes the same spiral staircase, with lifts, but the official page is the one that tells you the lift is out of service. One private tour listing in my comparison advertises exclusive elevator access that skips 238 steps, so read the official page for the current position before you pay for that.
Arc de Triomphe Rooftop Tickets
★4.6 (38,548 reviews)
24-hour ticket
My pick: The plain rooftop ticket: $18, 4.6 from 38,548 reviews, access to the rooftop and the views over Paris.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ Access to the Arc de Triomphe's rooftop
✓ Views over Paris
Not included / not suitable
✕ Guided tour
Meeting point: Meet at the entrance of the Arc de Triomphe. To go to the Place Charles de Gaulle (the roundabout where the Arc de Triomphe is located) you have to take the underground stairs located on the Champs Elysées and Rue de la Grande-Armée.
You need to pass the security check line due to safety measures at the Arc de Triomphe. Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
Duration: 1 day
Cancellation: This activity is non-refundable
“Incredible experience. We went in the evening and the views were spectacular! The stairs were not too bad to climb. Would definitely recommend this activity.” – GetYourGuide review
The museum hall sits below the terrace. Wikipedia says a permanent exhibition, designed by Maurice Benayoun and Christophe Girault, opened in the attic in February 2007, with models and interactive exhibits. The official accessibility page adds that the hall has adapted toilets. The official home page announces a temporary exhibition, “Triumph by Night”, from 28 October 2026 to 26 March 2027, so check whether it changes the route on your date.
The Rooftop Terrace at the Top of Inside Arc de Triomphe
At the top, a ramp leads to the orientation tables and the panoramic view, per the accessibility page. Wikipedia describes the square below as a star formed by twelve avenues. The cruise combination ticket in my comparison pairs it with a one-hour Seine cruise.
Global Tours And Tickets
Arc de Triomphe Entry with Seine Cruise
★4.5 (795 reviews)
3 hours
Free cancellation
My pick: The terrace plus a 1-hour Seine cruise on one ticket: $43, 3 hours, 4.5 from 795 reviews.
What you get, where you meet, what reviewers say
Included
✓ Arc de Triomphe entrance ticket
✓ 1-hour Seine River cruise
✓ Seine River cruise audio guide
Not included / not suitable
✕ Hotel pickup and drop-off
✕ Food and drinks
Meeting point: Go to the Arc de Triomphe and show your voucher at the ticket office to enter.
The Seine River Cruise Company is Bateaux Parisiens, Pier No. 3 at Port de la Bourdonnais (at the foot of the Eiffel Tower). You will need to scan your tickets to board the boat.
There is no specific time for your cruise reservation. You may use your cruise tickets at any time during the company’s operating hours, which are listed on your ticket. Your cruise tickets are valid for one month.
Outside food & drinks are not allowed on the boat Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
“Easy to purchase and use whenever. Didn't feel rushed to next activity” – GetYourGuide review
What You Can and Cannot See Inside Arc de Triomphe
Your ticket covers the whole monument and its terrace, according to the official practical page, so there are no separate add-ons for the museum hall or the top. What you cannot do is skip the climb while the lift is shut. Plan for the stairs, wear flat shoes and keep your bag within the size limit. A drinking fountain is available inside, which helps on the way up.
The guided options in my comparison add explanation rather than extra rooms. The Champs-Elysees walking tour in the comparison ends at the monument and includes the entry ticket, while the private guided tours pair a licensed guide with the rooftop ticket. If you want to know what you are looking at on the way up, a guide or the exhibition in the museum hall does that job.
Getting Around and Rules Inside Arc de Triomphe
The monument is not step-free while the lift is closed. The official accessibility page lists free wheelchairs at the access point on presentation of ID, accessible seating on every level, and a contact for current lift status. Dogs are not allowed, except guide dogs. For the story behind what you have seen, read my Arc de Triomphe history page, and when you are ready to book, compare every Arc de Triomphe ticket in one place. The home page lists the other attractions I cover.
Frequently asked questions
What is inside the Arc de Triomphe?+
Inside Arc de Triomphe walls you find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at ground level, a spiral staircase, a museum hall and the rooftop terrace. The official site says your ticket covers the entire monument and its terrace, and that access is by 284 steps while the lift is closed for modernisation.
Is there an official Arc de Triomphe map?+
I could not find a downloadable floor plan on paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr. The official accessibility page shows a plan of the forecourt with the drop-off point for visitors with reduced mobility, but it is an image without its own link. The map on this page shows the underpass, stations and sights around the monument.
How many steps are there inside the Arc de Triomphe?+
The official site gives 284 steps, including an initial flight of 180, with several rest landings that have seating. The monument is 50 metres high. It does not recommend the climb for people who find stairs difficult.
How do you get into the Arc de Triomphe?+
Through the Passage du Souvenir, the underground passage at the top of the Champs-Elysees or the Avenue de la Grande-Armee. The official accessibility page says it is not possible to cross Place Charles de Gaulle on foot at street level.
Can you take a bag inside the Arc de Triomphe?+
Yes, within limits. The official practical page gives a maximum of 40 x 40 x 20 cm, says there is no left-luggage office at the monument and does not allow pushchairs inside; staff keep them at the access control until you return.
How long do you need inside the Arc de Triomphe?+
The official site does not give a visit time. Third-party guides I read suggest 30 minutes for a quick climb and up to 90 minutes if you linger at the museum and the terrace. The climb and the queue for the stairs are the parts that vary.
