Once again, another monument in Paris did not disappoint. The Arc de Triomphe is more impressive in person than the hundreds of photos I've seen. The traffic circle surrounding the arch is so busy you have to descend some stairs subway style to get to it. Being underneath it, you do indeed feel pretty small, which is the point right? This thing was built to satisfy Napoleon's ego. I did enjoy the beauty and scale, but I could not get it out of my mind that the arc is and was a monument to extreme braggadocio. Reminds me of someone who currently resides in the Oval Office.
But the Arc has evolved into a monument of pride for the French people. That I can appreciate. Just a few months earlier thousands gathered at the arch to celebrate winning the World Cup. It's become a symbol of victory and resilience. Hitler's troops marched through it to humiliate the French and then had to march back through in disgrace as they were forced out of France.
We walked up the 284 steps to the roof of the arch. Tight spiral staircases that seemed to go on forever. There was a museum and bathrooms at the top floor before you exited to the roof. There's a model of the arc and a screen on the floor attached to a camera that looks straight down below you in the center of the arch. They should have also had water available to purchase up there. Walking up those stairs is not easy.
The views from the top are of course amazing. Several tree lined avenues branch off from the Arc de Triomphe according to the great urban planner Haussman's street design of the 19th century. Wonderful views of downtown and the great square shaped defense building. Great views of the Eiffel and Invalides on one side. Views of Notre Dame and the Pantheon on the other. Spectacular views all around. Definitely worth the price of the ticket and the walk up the endless stairs. BTW, the elevator was out of order while we were there. But walking up the stairs made it feel like you had accomplished something.
Yeah, the Arc de Triomphe is a must see in Paris.
