8 Famous Arches In France: What To See And Do

There is only ONE Eiffel Tower. You can’t find a duplicate anywhere. There’s also the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, however, did you know that there are numerous Arc de Triomphes or triumphal arches in France?

[Updated February 21, 2021]

I’ve seen at least 8 triumphal arches during my travels in France (with 5 in Paris shown at the end of this post on a map). Here are some you might encounter and a brief description of what you can see nearby. Not all of them are worth a special trip but you might encounter one during your travels.  Some are definitely worth the trip to the top for the view.

1. Paris: Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile

Location and Access: Place Charles de Gaulle (originally Place de l’Etoile), at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. You can go to the top and the views are excellent. Arc de Triomphe tickets are 12 €; however, admission is included with the Paris Museum Pass and is free the 1st Sunday of the month (Jan 1 to Mar 31 and Nov 1 to Dec 31).

Nearby: shopping on the Champs Elysée or on Avenue Montaigne (pick up some macarons at Pierre Hermé on 133 Av. des Champs-Élysées); catch the 1 € shuttle to Fondation Louis Vuitton; walk south to the Seine to catch a ride on the Bateaux Mouches or to Le Grand Palais.

Little History:

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile is the most famous arch in Paris. It is 50 metres high and 45 metres wide and was built between 1806 and 1836. Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte commissioned the construction after he was victorious at the Battle of Austerlitz. The monument pays tribute to the soldiers who fought and died for France in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It’s quite the work of art with the names of the generals and the French battles carved into the sides. 

On November 11, 1920, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was interred and is worth going to the top day time or night time to get a view of the major avenues which radiate from the Arc. 

2. Paris: Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

Location and Access: Place du Carrousel. You cannot go to the top

Nearby: Louvre Museum; shopping underground in the Carrousel du Louvre; Musée Des Arts Décoratifs;  walk around Palais Royale or along the Seine.

Little History:

It was built between 1806-1808 and was constructed to commemorate Napoleon’s victories with numerous bas-reliefs done in rose marble.

It is 63 feet high and 75 feet wide and like the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile, there are numerous bas-reliefs on the sides, representing the Kingdom of Italy (History and Arts) and the French empire (Victory, Fame, History, and Abundance).  They are done in rose marble. On the very top is the “Chariot of Peace” and surrounding the structure are 8 Corinthian columns of marble.

About half the size of the Arc at Place Charles de Gaulle, this Arc is situated across the street from the Louvre Museum’s Pyramid. If you stand directly below the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, you can see the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile in your line of sight.

3. Paris: Grande Arche de la Defense

Location and Access: in the La Defense business district (in Puteaux, northwest of the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile). The rooftop is no longer accessible to the public

Nearby: Shop at Les Quatre Temps, a huge shopping mall; Fondation Louis Vuitton is about 4 kilometres southeast of the Arch on the edge of Bois du Boulogne.

Little History: This monument and building were created as a result of a competition led by French President Francois Mitterrand with it’s unveiling on the bicentennial of the French Revolution, July 14, 1989.

In the shape of a cube and measuring 110 metres wide and 110 metres high, the Arche was built to celebrate humanitarian ideals rather than any military victories. It is very modern and quite a contrast to the “old” of Paris. As such, people either love it or hate it.

4. Paris: La Porte Saint Martin

Location and Access: At the intersection of Rue Saint-Martin, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, Boulevard Saint-Martin and Boulevard Saint-Denis. You cannot go to the top.

Nearby: Walk over to Canal Saint Martin and wander around the area and along the canal; just southeast is a great restaurant, Chez L’Ami Louis; walk west along Boulevard Saint-Denis to the next arch/porte: La Porte Saint-Denis.

Little History: Another triumphal arch in Paris! This one was built in 1674, commissioned by King Louis XIV where the bas-reliefs show his many victories. It is small compared to the others, reaching a height of only 18 metres. It is called a “Porte” as it is in the location of a medieval gate that was used to fortify Paris.

5. Paris: La Porte Saint-Denis

Location and Access: intersection of Rue Saint-Denis, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, Boulevard de Bonne-Nouvelle and the Boulevard Saint-Denis. You cannot go to the top.

Little History: This arch was also commissioned by King Louis XIV and it is very similar to La Port Saint Martin. My thanks to Stefanie Talley of Free In Paris for the photo!

Nearby: Just west is Musée Gourmand du Chocolat – Choco-Story, Musée Grévin, and just southeast is Musée des Arts et Métiers.

6. Orange: Arc de Triomphe d’Orange

Location and Access: in Orange, in the south of France. You cannot go to the top.

Nearby: the arc is located just outside of Orange and visiting the Théâtre Antique d’Orange is a must.

Little History: It’s at least 2000 years old. There is no definitive date as to when the arch was built;  however, historians guess it was around the reign of Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). In the south of France, the Roman influence was very strong where there is also the famous Roman Theatre of Orange. The Arc measures 19 metres high and 8.4 metres wide and according to the Orange Tourist office, it is dedicated to the glory of the founders of the Roman colony of Orange.

7. Montpellier: Porte du Peyrou

Location and Access: Rue Foch, just east of Boulevard Ledru-Rollin near the park, Jardin de Peyrou. You can go to the top.

Nearby: Place Royale du Peyrou, where a weekly market is held; Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier; Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier;  walk in the pedestrian-only area of downtown Montpellier.

Little History: Constructed in 1693 and modeled after Porte Saint-Denis in Paris. 22 years after it’s construction, bas-relief panels and inscriptions were added to pay homage to King Louis XIV and some of his battles.

8. Nancy: L’Arc Here

Location and Access: at the entrance to Place Stanislas. I do not believe you can go to the top.

Nearby: walk around the area; walk around Vieille Ville (Old Town); visit Parc de la Pépinière and you might catch a free concert as I did, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy.

Little History: Designed by Emmanuel Héré and constructed in the 1750s to honour King Louis XV. It is an important landmark in Nancy and connects Place Stanislas to Place de la Carrière. Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d’Alliance are listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO.

Any other arcs, arches, or portes that you’ve discovered in France?

Map Indicating Locations Of Arches In France

Click on the map or on this link and you’ll be directed to a Google Map indicating all the places in this post.

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