What It’s Like Visiting the Arc de Triomphe With Kids
We recently returned from visiting Paris with our kids ( ages 7, 4 and 1) where we took a trip to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. We’d visited Paris one previous time with young kids and came much more prepared this time around.
I planned our short time in Paris meticulously and even created a scavenger hunt for our kids to do atop the Arc de Triomphe (you can even steal it from me- more on that later!).
This guide is to help you understand the logistics of visiting the Arc de Triomphe as a family and help you decide if visiting is a good choice for you.
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Is It Worth it To Visit The Arc de Triomphe With Kids?
Yes! The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most popular attractions in Paris and is one that’s easy to visit with kids.
My favorite thing about it is the beautiful view you get of the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, and so many other beautiful buildings in Paris.
My kids immediately get energy and pay more attention if a scavenger hunt is involved, so to make the visit a little more exciting for the kids, I created a scavenger hunt that you can get by completing the form below:
It definitely helped them have a good time while taking in the view!
Plus, if you’re a history buff, it’s full of history. The arch took 30 years to build in the 1800s to honor the fallen soldiers of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
What Are the Arc de Triomphe Stairs Like?
We’ve taken the stairs up the Arc de Triomphe on a previous visit, so we know what they’re like (but we took the elevator with our kids!).
Climbing to the top of the arch involves going up a narrow, winding staircase with 284 steps.
There are two different staircases, one for ascending and one for descending, so you don’t have to navigate between guests going in the opposite direction.
It can be a tiring climb, especially if you aren’t very physically active. We were mostly worried about using up all of our kids’ energy and potentially holding up people behind us more than necessary so we opted to take the lift when visiting with the kids (more on how the lift works below).
Does the Arc de Triomphe Have An Elevator?
Yes! And we used it! The vast majority of visitors to the Arc de Triomphe are expected to climb the 284 steps up to the top of the arch; however, there is one small elevator available for those who need it.
The official Arc de Triomphe website describes the elevator as ‘available only to those who need it, with no need to book in advance,’ and on another web page, it describes the elevator as ‘available for families with young children.’
We visited with our kids, ages 7, 4, and 1, and were unsure whether we would need to ask them for elevator access or if they would let only our youngest use the elevator, etc.
But in reality, the staff were all very kind and accommodating, and before we even had the chance to ask about the elevator, they asked if we would like to use it.
You have to go through a small security line before accessing the arch, and right after security, you either head up the staircase or they accompany you to the elevator.
There is a staff member who rides the elevator all day and takes guests up and down.
We initially thought that we would ride the lift up and take the stairs down, but in the end, we did the lift both directions (which I think was a good idea because going down the stairs would have been a little tricky for the kids to navigate).
We saw all kinds of people using the elevator, and the staff seemed to be very welcoming of it.
I think they just expect you to respect the elevator’s use and only use it if you need it, because the elevator is quite small and there’s only one available.
So if you’re visiting with kids and are hoping to use the elevator, you definitely should be able to. However, keep in mind that after the elevator, you still need to walk up about 40-50 steps to access the rooftop terrace.
However, 40-50 stairs sounds like more than it felt. Our 4-year-old and 7-year-old had no problems with the final steps.
Are Strollers Allowed at the Arc de Triomphe?
No, you can’t take strollers up the Arc de Triomphe; however, they have a great system for storing and keeping your stroller safe while you enjoy the monument.
At the base of the arch before you enter the monument, a staff member will take your stroller and lock it up next to the entrance free of charge. Including ours, there were three to four other strollers locked up while we were there.
Things To Do at The Arc de Triomphe As a Family
1. Search For Sights On The Arc de Triomphe Rooftop Scavenger Hunt
The highlight of our visit to the Arc de Triomphe with kids was the scavenger hunt that I created and brought along with us.
I created a scavenger hunt to complete from the arch’s viewing platform that includes both iconic Parisian buildings, plus things to look for on the roads and sidewalk below.
Once we reached the top, the kids ran right over to the edge and began searching the skyline to complete their scavenger hunt.
You can download the scavenger hunt for free that we used by completing the form below:
I don’t think the kids would have enjoyed the viewing platform as much had I not brought it along- I highly recommend.
2. See The Arc de Triomphe History Exhibit
At the top of the elevator, before the final steps to the rooftop, there is a small exhibit about the arch (it’s just one small room next to the gift shop). It mostly includes images of the relief sculptures and a model of the arch.
Our kids had very little interest in this exhibit and wanted to head straight to the top. However, some may find it interesting.
3. Look For a Souvenir at the Arc de Triomphe Gift Shop
The gift shop at the Arc de Triomphe is actually quite nice. They have a lot of cute souvenirs and some very nice Paris-related storybooks and workbooks for kids.
Our kids enjoyed perusing the gift shop after visiting the rooftop.
How To Get To The Arc de Triomphe With Kids
The Arc de Triomphe is at the center of a massive 12-point roundabout with 10-12 lanes of traffic circling it (although there aren’t even official lane markings).
This means there aren’t any crosswalks from the surrounding roads to the Arc de Triomphe, and you definitely shouldn’t try to cross the roundabout.
Instead, you access the Arc de Triomphe via an underground tunnel. If you put walking directions into Google Maps, it will take you to the staircase that leads down to the tunnel.
Arc de Triomphe vs Eiffel Tower
We only had a short time in Paris so we had to choose between visiting either the Arc de Triomphe or the Eiffel Tower. However, had we had longer, I would’ve chosen to climb (or lift) to the top of both.
I think choosing between the two comes down to personal preference and what you’re hoping to get out of it.
We chose to visit the top of the Arc de Triomphe over the top of the Eiffel Tower because I wanted to have a view OF the Eiffel Tower, which you obviously can’t get if you are IN the Eiffel Tower.
However, I think being up close and personal to the Eiffel Tower would also be a great experience and something we plan to do in the future.
Where To Take Family Photos With the Arc de Triomphe
It can be tricky to get a picture with the Arc de Triomphe when you’re at the base (the angle is super wonky).
Instead, I recommend snapping a picture from across the street near where you take the stairs down to the tunnel underneath the road.
And that’s everything I think you need to know about how to visit the Arc de Triomphe in Paris with kids! Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions. I’ll be sure to get back to you!
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