Arc de Triomphe – The monument linking 12 boulevards in Paris
Arc de Triomphe – The monument linking 12 boulevards in Paris
Hello dear travellers from everywhere
I'm curious to see what spectacular places you've been to, maybe give me ideas for my next places to explore.
Today I want us to go again to the city of love and explore together one of the greatest symbols of this city, the Arc de Triomphe.
How did we get there?
The accommodation we had in Sartrouville with our friends, so we first took the bus 272 that took us to Paris and then we took the metro to Bir-Hakeim station (the station leads to the Eiffel Tower) we wanted to see it again (we couldn't get enough of it), this station is quite close to the Arc de Triomphe, we're not complaining we're young and we can walk quite a long way, I don't want to brag but every day of exploring Paris we walked at least 10km, but if you want to get there directly you have to get off at Charles de Galle Etoile station.
How beautiful these Parisian buildings are, and somewhere back there you can see a bit of the Eiffel Tower.
For more very interesting historical data visit this link.
Let the exploration begin …..
After wandering the streets of Paris for a while we finally arrive at the Arc de Triomphe, wow it is so imposing, from a distance we saw some commotion there, army, police, public persons, political persons, I ask someone puzzled, what is going on at the Arc de Triomphe, I had learned that there was a demonstration to lay wreaths at the head of the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Wow, who is this unknown soldier?
This unknown soldier fought in the Second World War, and the tombstone says Here is a French soldier who died for his country, every year in November there are events commemorating this soldier, as far as I know the flame on this tomb is lit every evening after 7 pm.
We go on to try to get as close as possible, to get there we had to go through an underpass that took us directly to the access door where you could climb up into the Arc de Triomphe.
Seeing that the manisfestations (I didn't take pictures of the nicely dressed soldiers, policemen and other people because I didn't know if it was ok to do that) were not ready we decided to go up to the Triumphal Arch first and then walk around the Triumphal Arch.
We arrive again in the underground passage and head directly to the ticket office.
Entrance tickets:
-single ticket 13euro
-adult group rate minimum 20 persons 11euro
-school group maximum 35 persons 40euro
Last access is possible 45 minutes before closing time.
For groups it is mandatory to book at the following email address: [email protected]
Visiting hours from 10-22:30.
The Arc de Triomphe can be visited all year round, except on days when official ceremonies are scheduled (interestingly, we and a few dozen other tourists were allowed to go up there).
Ready with tickets in hand we waited in silence to be allowed access to the stairs leading up, we did not see to be elevator for all visitors but the only elevator is special for people with disabilities, a big like for those who thought to make it possible to visit the Arc de Triomphe for people with disabilities.
We start to climb the 287 steps, here you need a bit of practice, they really are beautiful these stairs in the shape of a circle, after a few good minutes and with a few stops we reach a hall that looks like a museum I can say.
In this hall we saw a souvenir shop, some beautiful places where you can catch your breath after the effort made to climb, some beautiful statues but what caught my attention was the projection on a wall of that hall all the stages of the construction of the Arc de Triomphe, I have attached some photos, it is really worth to stay 10-15 minutes to watch the whole history of the Arc de Triomphe.
The pictures are from a wall where they were projected using a projector.
After I finish watching the important moments in the creation of the Arc de Triomphe I see a sign indicating the stairs to the terrace, after I still don't know how many stairs we reach the plateau at the top of the Arc de Triomphe.
When I saw the view from there, it took my breath away, considering that the Arc de Triomphe is 50 meters high, I saw the main sights (actually mega sights), I saw the main boulevard Champs Elysees(from what I heard, 12 boulevards meet at the Arc de Triomphe, Impressive, no), in the distance you can see the Eiffel Tower(my favourite), another sight that you can see from here and that I will blog about in the future is Le Grande Arche de la Defens, the Sacre Coeur Basilica(I already blogged about this basilica).
Here at the top of the Arc de Triomphe you will find an information board with the main sights that can be seen from here.
In conclusion I can say that the Arc de Triomphe is indeed a place you must visit if you are in Paris, besides the fact that you can learn important historical facts you will have the opportunity to see Paris from above.
I have to tell you that to take these pictures I didn't block the traffic in Paris :)
Just a few pictures hehe
Time passes very quickly so we leave behind the Arc de Triomphe even though our souls and minds were still there and head towards the metro station to reach Sartrouville, here we close another tab in our exploration of the city of love, Paris.
If you liked what you saw and read here please don't forget to give a LiKe, Follow, reBlog or a Comment, for all this I thank you, and until the next post I say goodbye.
P.S. The attached pictures you have just seen are taken by me with my mobile phone, and the text is also designed by me.
Yours 