L'Arc de Triomphe was ordered in 1806 by Napoleon Bonaparte to celebrate the victories of his army.
If you walk around place de l'étoile roundabout you will notice that lots of streets have either the name of Napoleon's battle victory (Friedland, Iéna, Wagram) or his Generals' names (Carnot, Hoche, Kébler, Marceau).
Today the Arc de Triomphe glorifies the armies of the French Republic and the armies of Napoleon's Empire.
From the top of the Arch you have a nice view over Paris:
- The Champs Elysées Avenue
- The Eiffel Tower
- The business district of La Défense
- Le Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre
A sample of Paris Arc de Triomphe:
How to get to L'Arc de Triomphe: Arc de Triomphe – Place Charles de Gaulle Etoile 75008 Paris
- M1-2-6 RERA Charles de Gaulle Etoile
Bus: 22-30-31-52-73-92-Balabus
Vélib' (City Bike): 8028 Arsene Houssaye – 8057 Hoche – 8056 Wagram – 17033 Carnot
Noctilien (Night Bus): N11-N24 Charles de Gaulle Etoile Grande Armée or CDG Etoile Champs Elysées, N53 CDG Etoile Kébler or CDG Etoile Friedland, N151-N153 CDG Etoile Friedland
- Maps: