Arc de Triomphe

This majestic structure is one that is should by viewed by Paris tourists. Whether you view it by day, when the sun gives the structure a marble, white, colour, or whether you visit it by night, when the dark cloak of shadows and the shining light give it a beautiful, enriching, golden colour, it is is masterpiece. A great big arc of a masterpiece! However, if you wish to climb the some 284 steps, be warned that the arc closes at ten o'clock or ten thirty in the night. 

Arc de Triomphe by Morning

How to get up to the Arc de Triomphe. Well, let's start at the very beginning. (A very good place to start...) First, how to get to the Arc de Triomphe, across the busy, bustling street of honking cars and 'vroom'ing motorcycles? Well, across the subway station that emerges from the front of the path Champ-Elysee, there is a set of stairs leading underground. If you read the inscription above, you will find that it says Arc de Triomphe written above the stairwell. Follow the stairs down, and it will soon lead you to another separate set of stairs (on your left). Travel up, and you will find yourself at the direct bottom of the Arc de Triomphe. If you look at the picture, specifically the right corner section of it. When you surface from the stairs, right on your left will be stairs that lead right up to the top of the arc. There is an admission fee, but if you have a Museum Pass, well, it's all on your pass. The climb that comes next is not a hard climb, nor a very long climb either. However, I wouldn't recommend it to people that have moments of troubled breathing, or have heart problems. I have to say that it may look like a long way up.......

One Snail Shell of a Stair!

But it really isn't! It will be over in a few minutes. Once you get up the final few stairs of the first stairwell, there is a flat floor where you can catch your breath and have a drink of water, or wait impatiently for family to come up. If you reach this place, good for you! You have climbed 235 steps! From now, there is an elevator for the impaired to go up the rest. But exercise is good for you! When you get up to the top of the arc, you will be energized with a spectacular view of Paris below. Now........

Let's go down!

If you take an interest in climbing the Arc de Triomphe, check out
http://www.arcdetriompheparis.com/
or just google arc de triomphe and it will be the second, if not first, one!