Grande Arche: Tickets and Tours
Whether you're a photography enthusiast or love the thrill of heights, the Grande Arche is an unmissable point of interest in Paris.
Standing out in the center of the city's business district, the building commands your attention with its imposing structure and magnificent design.
Whether you're a photography enthusiast or love the thrill of heights, the Grande Arche is an unmissable point of interest in Paris.
Standing out in the center of the city's business district, the building commands your attention with its imposing structure and magnificent design.
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Whether you're a photography enthusiast or love the thrill of heights, the Grande Arche is an unmissable point of interest in Paris.
Standing out in the center of the city's business district, the building commands your attention with its imposing structure and magnificent design.
Purchase Grande Arche tickets and journey through Paris to see this colossal monument that will make you feel small and insignificant in comparison.
Here's all you need to know about Grande Arche, one of the most stunning attractions in Paris.
How much do Grande Arche tickets cost?
Tickets to the Grande Arch will give you access to the rooftop, its promenade and current exhibition.
Ticket prices:
- Adults: €16
- Reduced price: €13
- Students: €10
- Children (3-18): €8
- Children (under 3): Free
By purchasing your Grande Arche ticket online in advance, you’ll benefit from skipping the line once you arrive.
Who is eligible for discounts?
Students between the ages of 19 and 26 can benefit from a reduced rate of €10 for their Grande Arche tickets to access the promenade.
Persons with disabilities and seniors over 65 qualify for a discounted rate of €13, as well as those who are unemployed.
If you're traveling in a group of 10 or more people, you'll also pay a reduced rate of €13 per person.
Is it possible to visit Grande Arche for free?
If you are a holder of the Paris Pass, you'll be able to experience a Grande Arche visit for free.
Should you book Grande Arche tickets in advance?
Grande Arche is a popular landmark in Paris and, as such, can become overrun with tourists. Purchasing your Grande Arche tickets online in advance will allow you to avoid unnecessary queues and spend your time on the Skydeck instead.
What will you see inside Grande Arche?
The Grande Arche is the outcome of a competition hosted by French President Francois Mitterrand. It was commissioned in 1982 and was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe. However, its purpose differs somewhat from the most famous arch in Paris, which honors those who died in battle.
The Grande Arche was designed as a culturally inclusive place where people from all backgrounds can feel welcomed and communicate together. The designer, Johan Otto V. Spreckelsen described the landmark as a "window to the world" which is a fitting portrayal of the gigantic cube.
The monument was completed in 1989 and is over 100 meters tall. Like other notable Parisian structures such as the Louvre, the Grande Arche does not stand straight. Instead, it sits on a tilt of 6.5 degrees and is supported by 12 pillars.
In order to build the masterpiece, construction teams used over 300,000 tonnes of materials, including glass, concrete and granite.
When visiting the landmark, you can travel up to the rooftop and walk along the 100-meter footbridge to enjoy dazzling views across Paris. Reaching the roof is a thrill in itself with glass elevators that journey 110 meters to the top. Look up rather than down if you don't want to experience sudden dizziness!
You can also tour Grande Arche’s gallery space, named the "photojournalism" which displays the works of esteemed photographers through temporary exhibitions. It is the first space in France to be dedicated solely to photojournalism, and the collection changes four times per year.
During the summer, the Grande Arche hosts a series of events called the "Afterworks." These take place in the evening and include DJ sets, concerts and drinks on the rooftop.
How to get to Grande Arche?
Grande Arche is located on the northwest side of the city, in the La Défense business district. You can access it via the Line 1 metro which you can take to La Défense station. From there, it's just a two-minute walk to the famous site. The metro journey takes seven minutes and runs every five minutes.
Alternatively, you can take the Line 73 bus which takes 18 minutes from Porte Maillot and runs several times an hour. You'll disembark at La Défense - Métro-RER-Tramway and travel the remaining four minutes by foot.
When is the best time to visit Grande Arche?
The busiest time to visit the monument is between 3 PM and 4 PM. Most tourists visit on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday. To avoid the crowds, book Grande Arche tickets for a weekday morning. The site is open from 10 AM to 7 PM every day.
The Grande Arche is slightly outside the main city center, so choose to visit once you've explored other monuments in the heart of Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre museum.
Which other attractions can be visited in the city?
Travel tips
- If you're in the city during the summer, book Grande Arche tickets to one of its limited evening extravaganzas.
- Fridays are the quietest day to visit Grande Arche. If you visit between 5 PM and 6 PM, you won't have to contend with crowds of tourists.
- If you have time, be sure to visit the photojournalism exhibition after enjoying the bird's-eye view of Paris.