Visiting Arc de Triomphe

Try the FNAC site and see if it has different info, they sell tix for all the major attractions in Paris.

Just checked, thanks for this site but they don't have tickets for the Arc de Triomphe

I was able to go in and try to buy tickets on the site below.

http://www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr/en/

Just tried and they have April dates, don't have May there yet. I will stalk daily until securing.

I would not buy that ticket too long in advance, it is not a crowded site. I just checked: I can still buy a ticket for any time today or tomorrow. Perhaps wait until a few days before once you have an idea of the weather? It would be a waste to climb up there under the rain.

Thank you, this is what I had hoped. Merci!

It's sad to think that Christo did not live to see the project, completed by his partner Jeanne-Claude last year and on view for only a few weeks.
Decades earlier they wrapped the Pont Neuf, completed in 1985. It was fun because gawkers could get up-close to the acrobatic workers swinging around the old bridge. Little evidence of that event can be seen today, due to the disposable nature of the couple's projects.

I personally don’t enjoy Christo’s wrap art — the Pont Neuf is actually the only one with some appeal, imo. Generally I find the artistry of the structures themselves to be more interesting and beautiful. But, that is kind of the great thing about art — there is something for everyone

What ecetera said.

I would be disappointed if I visited the Arc de Triomphe and found it hidden by a bunch of rags. I'd prefer to see it as it was created. To me, it is like the vandalism some people call "street art." Why ruin something that was perfectly fine beforehand?

My niece and I were just there a week or so ago. We did not have a timed entry and since we had the museum pass we were able to walk right in. Lots of steps up to the top but great views from up there. Highly recommend it.

Sounds good, was there a line to purchase tickets if one did not have museum pass?

@regina Did you buy your pass once you arrived in Paris? Did ALL the museums just let you in or did you have to reserve your time on some? We used the pass in 2013 and it worked great. Just wondering if it works the same now? Thanks.

“We used the pass in 2013 and it worked great. Just wondering if it works the same now? Thanks.”

Nope, there have been some changes since 2013. In 2019 they stopped allowing multiple entries to each museum as there were some tour groups who were abusing the system.

Now many require a timed entry as well. You can make the reservation before you have the Museum Pass in hand. A few museums you can walk in to, but the Louvre, Orsay and Orangerie you’ll want to watch on their ticketing website to see if the days are booking out. The Louvre is being booked completely. I was there on Friday and there were big signs saying all time slots were fully booked.

Depending on which museums you want to visit, you may do just as well without the Museum Pass. You need to look at the individual entry costs for your needs.

Even some of the free City of Paris Museums (Carnavalet, for instance) require timed entry.

"Even some of the free City of Paris Museums (Carnavalet, for instance) require timed entry."

Not so for Carnavalet last week when we visited on a short trip to Paris. Just walked in. They've done a nice job on the renovation, in my view.

@Sammy, that’s interesting. I went in October and a timed entry was necessary, then they had you stand in stalls in the courtyard to enter. It was raining the day I went and fairly miserable. I felt more thought could have been put into the way they got people onto the building and thru the security scanners.

My recollection from my last reading of Rick's book is that he's not so hot on the museum pass anymore, it's become like train travel he advises that you add up the costs of all the museums you're going to visit and see how it works out

I'll definitely look at entrances and cost.

"I went in October and a timed entry was necessary, then they had you stand in stalls in the courtyard to enter."

Pam, I suspect the difference is that the Pass Sanitaire no longer is being checked nor is it required. Occupancy limits also have been jettisoned unless the site owner/operator still wants to enforce them.

Sammy, yes, that could definitely be the difference!

Sorry to be late in replying. We bought the 6 day museum pass at the travel information booth as we were leaving the airport. We made timed reservations to the Louvre and the Orangerie. Saint Chappelle as well. I actually made those reservations from home, just put in a fake number for the museum pass as I had not purchased it yet! The Orsay did not require a timed slot as long as you had the pass, neither did the Arch or the Pompideau.

I’m in Paris currently and visited the Arc de’ Triomphe two days ago. I didn’t have any kind of ticket. Just walked up and purchased one in the ticket booth in the pass under the road. If you have a ticket already you just skip that part.

You do not need a reservation with the Museum Pass. We were up this evening, bypassed the line with the pass. We still waiting a few minutes to go through security to climb up the stairs.

I think we'll do the museum pass, thanks for the responses.
I'm getting wary of traveling now though, seems to be more reports of positive covid tests.