From the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower: How to go, Things to do


 

The Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower are without a doubt, two of Paris’ most iconic and recognizable monuments. Basically, these two are absolute must-sees during your visit to the City of Light. And luckily they’re relatively close together, making it easy to visit both sites in one go. Here are my recommendations for how to get from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower, and what you should see and do along the way!

How to get from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower via Public Transport

By Sebastian Gabriel on Unsplash

If you’re short on time and want to sight see as efficiently as possible, public transport is usually your best bet in Paris. The metro and bus systems are extremely well-connected, making getting from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower a breeze.

You have two main transpot options to get from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower. Both take around 17 minutes and will cost you €1.90 each way.

So, you can take the metro line 6 from Charles de Gaulle Etoile until Bir-Hakeim or Trocadèro stations. And actually, a good stretch of the line 6 is above ground and showcases some gorgeous views of the Eiffel Tower. The journey between Passy and Bir-Hakeim is especially picturesque.

Another option is to take the bus from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower. This takes a little longer than the metro, but it’s easy to lose track of time while watching Paris pass you by. You can take the bus line 2 from Etoile until the Tour Eiffel station. Plus, the entire journey only takes around 15 minutes.

How to get from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower on Foot

Since these Parisian landmarks are just over two kilometers from one another, walking is a great way to get from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower. There are plenty of different scenic routes you can take, but the quickest path (shown above) follows the Avenue Marceau until the riverbanks and leads across the Alma bridge. It should take you around half an hour at a moderate pace.

If you have a little more time on your hands, nearby Avenue Kléber offers a slightly longer but more scenic route, showcasing some of the city’s most impressive Haussmanian architecture and leading right to Trocadèro. And be sure to bring your camera along for this walk, there are plenty of great photo ops along the way.

Consider joining our Photography Workshop in Paris tour to further enhance your visual storytelling skills during this scenic journey.

How to get from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower by Cycling

Biking in Paris is arguably the most scenic way to explore the city. And thanks to an ever-expanding network of bike lanes, it’s also one of the most convenient. You have several options when biking from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower, depending on how quickly you’d like to get there, and what you’d like to see on the way.

For a complete guide to biking in Paris and the Vélib’ city bikes click here.

The quickest option takes just 7 minutes, and follows the Avenue Kléber down to Quai Branly. But if you really want to make the most of biking in Paris, I’d suggest the slightly longer route shown below.

My preferred route takes 15 minutes, but is worth it if you’d like to check off a few more Parisian landmarks. During this ride, you’ll pass by the Champs-Elysées, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais Museums, as well as cross the beautiful Alexandre III bridge. Finally, the last stretch of the journey will take you to the convenient bike lanes running along the river.

Things to do between the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower

Despite being close in distance, there’s actually a lot to see and do between the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. The route traverses Paris’ glamorous 8th arrondissement; passing by museums, beautiful parks, world-class restaurants and a shopper’s paradise on the way. Here are some ideas for you!

Visit a Museum

By Les Corpographes on Unsplash

One of the great things about the area between the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe is that it’s home to plenty of museums! If you’re a modern art fan, the Palais de Tokyo and the adjoining Musée de l’art Moderne are two must-visits. Click here to read our full guide to the best modern and contemporary art museums in Paris.

And if the classics are more your style, it’s hard to go wrong with a visit to the Grand Palais or Petit Palais musuems. Besides being a treat for the eyes, both regularly host international collections focusing on more classical art genres.

Picnic in a Park

By Kat Hlilnitsova on Unsplash

During your journey from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower, you’ll pass by some beautiful parks. Why not do as Parisians do and enjoy a picnic in one of them? The Jardins des Champs-Elysées, Jardins du Trocadéro and of course, the Champs de Mars are some local favorites.

Go Shopping

By Arturo Rey on Unsplash

On your journey from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower, you’ll cross some of the best shopping streets in Paris. The Louis Vuitton flagship store on the Champs-Elysées is worth a visit; and if not for a shopping spree then at least to admire the creative window displays. And speaking of luxury, Avenue Montaigne in particular is renowned for its seemingly endless array of designer boutiques. Check out our guide to the best shopping streets in Paris for more information.

So hopefully now you have a better idea of how to get from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower and what to do along the way. If you’re ready for more exploration, check out our free Paris walking tours for a comprehensive city adventure.

See you soon in Paris!

 

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