One cannot go to Paris without taking a stroll by all her beloved monuments.  There are so many spectacular things to see ranging from the metallic Eiffel Tower, to the numerous classic sculptures and fountains which line the parks, the gorgeously ornate churches and buildings, and of course the pièce de résistance, the Arc de Triomphe.

Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 as a symbol of triumph and victory of his army, the Arc de Triomphe is perhaps one of Paris’ most important monuments.  Many armies have walked beneath the arch after claiming victory. Inside the arch are hundreds of names of the generals who fought and died in Napoleon’s wars. There is also The Tomb of the Unknown Solider which is illuminated by an eternal fire.  All this at the center of an enormous Parisien-style roundabout in which twelve grand boulevards come together creates a magnificent place albeit a traffic jam as well. But it is definitely worth a visit as its 284 stairs up to the top of the arch afford a spectacular view of Paris’ at her best.

If you go: The best way to see the Arc de Triomphe is to start at the Louvre and walk through the gorgeous Jardin des Tuileries enjoying her many fountains and flowers. At the end of the garden, you will enter the sensational Place de la Concorde at the start of the Avenue des Champs Élysées. Walk down the Champs Élysées, taking it all in and end at the Arc de Triomphe. From there, you are only a short distance from the Eiffel Tower as well as the launching off point for the bateau mouche, where you can purchase tickets to take a boat tour down the Seine passing by all the major monuments.

For interesting facts on the Arc de Triomphe, click here. 

This post is part of my series on my recent trip to Paris. To read the last post “A Walk through the Right Bank of Paris” click here.