Arc de Triomphe - Free Audio Guide

The Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon after his early nineteenth‑century victories and completed under King Louis‑Philippe, stands at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs‑Élysées in Paris. Designed in a Neoclassical idiom by Jean Chalgrin and inspired by Roman triumphal arches, it commemorates those who fought and died for France during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras; names of commanders and battles are inscribed on its surfaces. Beneath the vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its perpetual flame, a potent symbol of national remembrance. Architectural sculptures, high reliefs and an internal exhibition recount military and civic history, while a rooftop terrace provides expansive city views. The monument maintains regular visiting hours with an admission charge and offers some accessibility accommodations; operational specifics and current conditions may vary over time.