Arc de Triomphe terrace

The Arc de Triomphe rooftop terrace is one of the best viewpoints in Paris, sitting atop the monumental arch at Place Charles de Gaulle, right where the Champs-Élysées begins.

How do you get up there?

The arch stands in the middle of a roundabout, and there's no safe way to walk across the traffic to reach it. Visitors reach the entrance through an underground passage that starts on either the Champs-Élysées side or Avenue de la Grande Armée. Once through the tunnel and past the ticket check, you'll climb a spiral staircase of 284 steps to reach the platform. A lift is available for anyone unable to manage the stairs — no advance booking needed, just ask staff on site. The nearest metro stop is Charles de Gaulle — Étoile, served by lines 1, 2, 6 and the RER A.

What can you see from the top?

The terrace offers a full 360-degree view of the city. Look one way and you'll see the dead-straight axis of the Champs-Élysées stretching toward Place de la Concorde; look the other and you'll spot the modern skyscrapers of La Défense with its Grande Arche. This is also the best place to trace the twelve avenues radiating outward from the roundabout — that star-shaped layout is what originally gave the square its name, Étoile ("star"), before it was renamed for General de Gaulle. On a clear day you can pick out the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre with the Sacré-Cœur basilica, and the Opéra Garnier. At the base of the arch, beneath the vault, lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, its eternal flame relit every evening at 6:30pm — visible from above, though the ceremony itself is best watched from street level.

When should you go?

The terrace is open daily except for a handful of public holidays. From April to September it opens at 10am (11am on Tuesdays) and stays open until 11pm; from October to March it closes at 10:30pm, again with a later Tuesday opening. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing. The quietest times are right after opening in the morning and on weekdays outside peak tourist season. Sunset draws the biggest crowds but also delivers the most dramatic views, so it's worth booking a ticket in advance — the on-site queue is usually slower than booking online.

How much time should you set aside?

Going up, taking in the view and coming back down usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. If you want time to take photos and linger on the terrace, plan for up to an hour and a half, especially around sunset when the platform is at its busiest.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to climb stairs to reach the terrace? Yes, the standard route up is 284 steps via a spiral staircase. A lift is available for those who need it, with no reservation required.

Can you walk straight across the roundabout to the arch? No. Because of heavy traffic circling the monument, the only safe access is through the underground passage from either the Champs-Élysées or Avenue de la Grande Armée.

Is the view better during the day or at sunset? Both have their appeal: daytime offers clearer sightlines to distant landmarks, while sunset light makes for the most striking photos — though it's also the busiest time to visit.

Is there anything to see at the Arc de Triomphe besides the terrace? Yes — at the base of the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with its eternal flame relit daily at 6:30pm, viewable from street level without a terrace ticket.