Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées

A significant icon of Paris and memorial of French history, the Arc de Triomphe stands in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. The arch is often at the center of events and celebrations, including serving as the start of the Bastille Day parade and the end of the Tour de France bicycle race.

Fujifilm X-E1, 18mm, ISO 200, 2.5s, f/8

Visitor Information

Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned the Arc de Triomphe (arch of triumph) in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz, but it was not complete until 1836. The arch, which is 49.5 meters high, commemorates those lost in the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars. It is also the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

The arch is situated on the Axe Historique (historical axis), a line of monuments through the center and toward the west of the city. From the Louvre to the east to the Grand Arch at La Defense to the west, the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, the obelisk at Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Élysées all form a straight line through the city. Keep this in mind when you’re at any of these locations as you often can get a good view of the monuments in a line.

The Champs-Élysées (Elysian fields) is one of the most famous and, in terms of land prices, most expensive streets in the world. It is just under 1.2 miles in length, running from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.

Getting There

The Arc de Triomphe is in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, in the 8th arrondissement and at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.

The arch is directly above the Charles de Gaulle Étoile Metro station, which is on Metro lines 1, 2, and 6, and on RER line A. Metro line 1 runs along the route of the Champs-Élysées, with the stations George V, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau, and Concorde all under the avenue itself. From above ground, there’s a tunnel to the arch itself at the top of the Champs-Élysées, on your right as you face the arch.

When to Go

The Champs-Élysées is a busy street, all day and well into the night. It is often the scene of major French sporting celebrations and the many demonstrations that are frequent in the capital. Two summer events in particular offer great opportunities for street photography:

• Bastille Day. Bastille Day, also called La Fête Nationale or Le Quatorze Juillet, is July 14. This national holiday commemorates the start of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille. The largest military parade in Europe takes place throughout the morning along the Champs-Élysées.

• Tour de France. The last stage of the Tour de France finishes on the Champs-Élysées every summer. Visit the tour’s website for each year’s dates: www.letour.com. Be prepared to arrive very early and wait, or find a spot along the route elsewhere in the city where the crowds will be more manageable.

Viewpoints

While the Arc de Triomphe is impressive from below, it’s also well worth the climb to the top. The views out over the city, particularly looking east or west along to other significant landmarks of the city, offer great photo opportunities.

Top of the Arch

The Arc de Triomphe isn’t as high as the Eiffel Tower or Montparnasse Tower, but it offers a great sense of being in the center of the city, with twelve roads radiating out from it in all directions. Access to the inside of the arch with access to the open roof costs roughly $12.85 (9.50€) as of January 2014. As you climb the stairs and get near the top, look down the center of the spiral staircase for some good shots. (An elevator is available for those who can’t climb the stairs.)

From the top, you have a clear view down the Champs-Élysées to Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. You also have a good view of the Eiffel Tower, at an angle rather than the straight-on view from Trocadéro.

My favorite view, though, is looking down the Avenue de la Grand Armée (opposite the Champs-Élysées) toward La Defense and the Grand Arch. The office blocks at La Defense add interest to the skyline. Try using a wide-angle lens to incorporate more of the roads leading from the arch, or consider experimenting with long-exposure night shots.

Fujifilm X-E1, 48.4mm, ISO 200, 10s, f/16

Below the Arch

Even through the night there is traffic around the arch, and lots of it. To blur the traffic, use a long exposure and narrow aperture at night or a neutral density filter through the day. Alternatively, look for angles and detail shots. Trees, streetlamps, and pedestrians can all add some foreground interest and perspective. You could also stand directly beneath the arch for some interesting angles.

Fujifilm X-E1, 18mm, ISO 200, 1/6s, f/4.5

Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées offers great opportunities for street photography. Usually, excellent street artists are performing along the Champs-Élysées, although it can be difficult to get to the front of a crowd to get a good picture. Traffic islands in the middle of the road make it possible to stop to take photographs from the center of the street, but they will be fairly standard shots—unless you can incorporate a street element, such as an interesting pedestrian or cyclist. The other option, of course, is to shoot with a long exposure to blur the busy detail and emphasize the arch.

Nearby Sights

The Grand Palais and Petit Palais are just off the Champs-Élysées, by the Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau Metro station. The Grand Palais is a large exhibition center used for a variety of purposes, while the Petit Palais houses the Museum of Fine Arts. Both have distinctive architecture and are worth checking out. You may well already have seen the glass roof of the Grand Palais from across the city.

Élysée Palace is just north of the Champs-Élysées. Its architecture is less unusual, but it is the home of the president so it would seem rude not to stop by if you have the time.

For expensive hotels, cars, jewelry, and fashion, check out Avenue Montaigne. You will also find many restaurants along the Champs-Élysées. Although the prices are high, they aren’t that much higher than the rest of central Paris and the quality is still generally good.