Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to unidentified French soldiers who died in World War I. The Eternal Flame beside it adds a solemn counterpoint to the monument’s triumphal scale and remains one of its most significant memorial features.

Circle the four pillars to see the monumental sculptural groups and battle reliefs that cover the façades. The best-known is François Rude’s La Marseillaise, whose dramatic figures make it one of the Arc’s most recognisable details.

Look up and around the inner surfaces of the monument to find the names of French generals and battles carved into the stone. These inscriptions turn the Arc into a vast record of France’s military history.

The central arch is more detailed than it first appears from the avenue. Step beneath it to see the coffered vault, decorative patterns, and the sheer thickness of the monument’s stonework up close.

Inside, a compact exhibition gives context on the Arc’s construction, architectural design, symbolism, and changing role in French history. It is worth seeing before heading higher, especially if you want the rooftop views to make more sense.

The climb is part of the experience. The spiral staircase takes you through the monument’s interior and makes the transition from street level to rooftop feel gradual, with the city opening up only once you reach the top.

The rooftop is the standout. From here, you can see the 12 avenues radiating from Place Charles de Gaulle, along with the Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, La Défense, and wide stretches of central Paris.

From the terrace, look east and west along Paris’s historic axis. The alignment links the Arc with the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, and La Défense, making the city’s grand urban plan unusually easy to read from above.