Prehľad:
Triumf nad časom: Vstupenka na Víťazný oblúk čaká!
Vystúpte na majestátny Víťazný oblúk a postavte sa na miesto, kde sa tvorili dejiny. Táto ikonická parížska dominanta pripomína francúzske víťazstvá a vzdáva hold padlým vojakom. Vstupenka na Víťazný oblúk vám odomkne podmanivú cestu časom.
Tu je to, čo vás čaká:
- Triumfálny výstup: Vystúpte po veľkolepom schodisku
- Panoramatické výhľady: Sledujte úchvatný výhľad na Champs-Élysées, Eiffelovu vežu v diaľke a rušnú parížsku panorámu.
- Vyrytá história: Preskúmajte zložité rezby a sochy, ktoré zobrazujú kľúčové momenty francúzskej vojenskej histórie.
- Večný plameň: Uctite si pamiatku pri Večnom plameni, ktorý nepretržite horí od roku 1920 na počesť neznámych vojakov.
The Arc de Triomphe is the the most monumental of a number of triumphal arches in Paris. It was built between 1806 and 1836 on the orders of Napoleon to honour the victories of his Grande Armée. It was inaugurated by French King Louis Philippe, and dedicated to the armies of the Revolution and the Empire. Even though there were many modifications from the original plans (reflecting political changes and power struggles), the Arc de Triomphe still retains the essence of the original concept which was a powerful, unified symbol for France. It is still the place for many national events. It’s a much visited attraction. It stands in the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs Elysses. Access to the Arc de Triomphe is via un underground passage, with the entrance fee of €13 paid before you are allowed onto the island on which the Arc de Triomphe sits. On the late August afternoon we visited, traffic circulating around the Arc was surprisingly (and unusually) negligible so it was easy to cross the road onto the island and to see the Arc close up. The monument bears the names of battles and generals from the Revolution and the First Empire. Every evening, the flame is relit at 6.30pm on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the Great War. It’s certainly worth paying the entrance fee and climbing the spiral stairs to the viewing platform at the top of the Arc. The views in all directions are wonderful. You’ll get a great view of a number of Paris’s famous landmarks: the Champs Elysses, the Eiffel Tower, the Grande Arc de la Defence, Sacre Coeur on Montmartre, and the ‘star’ layout of the twelve radiating avenues that gave Place Charles de Gaulle its former name, Place de l'Étoile (star). We timed our visit carefully, as we wanted to be on the top of the Arc de Triomphe at sunset on a clear evening. There was quite a queue for access to the top, as many visitors had the same idea, but we’d taken that into account after checking the sunset time, and to make sure we could get a decent viewing and photography spot. The views across the city in the soft light of the setting sun were beautiful. But the triumph was the sun setting directly through the Grande Arche de la Defense. It was breathtakingly beautiful. We stayed on the viewing platform as darkness progressed, to see the Eiffel Tower light up, and then commence its nightly ‘sparkle’ show at 10.pm. We stayed on the Arc until security started moving the crowds down around 10.30pm. It’s one thing to visit this historic monument. It’s another thing to climb the monument to its viewing platform at the top. And its the ultimate to make the visit particularly memorable, as our visit at sunset allowed.
An iconic spot. The structure itself is beautiful with intricate carvings. The surrounding area is nice with restaurants catering to tourists. Good views down the Champs Elysees. A must-do when in Paris.
Even though I know this monument so well, I could not help but be struck by its scale. Momentous. Impressive. Certainly worth a visit - even just to observe from the perimeter at night.