Only 600 metres from the hotel, the Arc de Triomphe stands at the top of the Champs-Elysées, in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle (Place de l’Etoile).
This iconic triumphal arch, which is adorned with intricate sculptures, was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honour his armies, with construction completed in 1836.
Climb 284 steps to the top and you’re treated to panoramic views of the city’s boulevards, rooftops and well-known monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the Grande Arche de la Défense. A museum within the arch chronicles the structure’s history. A flame is relit every evening to remember the unknown soldier buried in a vault beneath the arch in 1921. The Arc de Triomphe stays open late, so be sure to return after dark to take photos of the city’s sparkling evening lights.
