Arc de Triomphe + Opera Garnier Combo Ticket 2026: Two Icons, One Day

The Arc de Triomphe and Opera Garnier are two of the most iconic landmarks in Paris, sitting about 3 km apart at opposite ends of the 8th/9th arrondissement axis. The Arc de Triomphe commands the top of the Champs-Élysées from the west; Opera Garnier anchors Place de l’Opéra from the east. Together they frame a swath of Haussmann’s Paris that includes the grandest boulevard in the world, a view of the city from 50 metres above street level, and one of the most extravagant interiors in Europe. Done in sequence, they deliver a morning that reads as a definitive statement of what Second Empire Paris was built to be.

What the Combo Ticket Includes

• Arc de Triomphe rooftop access — the 284-step climb (lift available for accessibility) to the rooftop terrace, with 360° panoramic views over Paris including down the Champs-Élysées and across to the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and the Défense skyline
• Self-guided entry to Opera Garnier — Grand Staircase, Grand Foyer, auditorium (subject to rehearsal schedule), and the Bibliothèque-Musée de l’Opéra

Not included: Audio guides at either venue (available separately), guided tours, or evening access to the Arc de Triomphe (which offers a spectacular different experience at night — sunset and after).

Entry to the Arc de Triomphe crypt (the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the base of the monument) is free and does not require a ticket — it’s the rooftop access that is ticketed and covered by this combo.

Is the Combo Worth It? Price Breakdown

The saving is typically €3–€5 on average — useful but not dramatic. As with the other combo tickets, the primary argument for buying the bundle is the convenience of a single booking securing timed entry for both at once, rather than a large financial saving.

Paris Museum Pass: Opera Garnier is covered by the Paris Museum Pass; the Arc de Triomphe is also covered. If you hold a valid pass, use it for both — the combo adds no value.

EU residents under 26: Both the Arc de Triomphe and Opera Garnier are free for EU residents under 26. If you qualify for free entry at both venues, there is no reason to buy the combo.

Planning the Day: Two Sequences That Work

Option A: Arc de Triomphe First (Recommended)

09:00–10:00 — Arc de Triomphe rooftop. Arrive early for the clearest views before haze builds. On a clear morning, the view down the Champs-Élysées towards Place de la Concorde is spectacular. On the best days, the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre, and even the Défense towers are all visible simultaneously.

10:00–10:20 — Travel from Arc de Triomphe to Opera Garnier (Metro Line 9 eastbound from Charles-de-Gaulle–Étoile to Opéra — 6 stops, approximately 12 minutes).

10:20–12:00 — Opera Garnier visit. You arrive slightly after the 10:00 opening rush, still well within the morning’s quiet window.

12:00 — Lunch in the 9th arrondissement or back towards the Champs-Élysées depending on your afternoon plans.

Option B: Opera Garnier First, Arc de Triomphe Second

10:00 — Opera Garnier at opening. 1.5–2 hours inside.

12:00 — Travel to Arc de Triomphe (12–15 minutes by metro).

12:30–13:30 — Rooftop access mid-day. The view is good at any time; midday crowds at the Arc de Triomphe are manageable but busier than early morning.

The weakness of this sequence: the Arc de Triomphe in the late morning and early afternoon is busier and the view is slightly less clear than in early morning. If the rooftop panorama is a priority, do it first. If Opera Garnier’s quiet morning slot is a priority, do it first. Both are valid — decide based on which experience you care about most.

Getting Between the Two Landmarks

By Metro (Fastest: 12–15 minutes)

Arc de Triomphe to Opera Garnier:

• Station: Charles-de-Gaulle–Étoile (directly beneath the Arc de Triomphe, accessible via underground pedestrian tunnel from the monument — do not try to cross the roundabout on foot)
• Take Metro Line 9 eastbound (direction Mairie de Montreuil)
• Ride 6 stops to Opéra
• Exit at Place de l’Opéra — Opera Garnier is directly in front of you

Journey time: approximately 12 minutes. Simple, direct, one line.

On Foot via the Champs-Élysées (30–35 minutes, highly recommended)

This is one of the iconic Paris walks and worth doing at least once — particularly if you’re visiting these two landmarks together:

1. From the Arc de Triomphe, descend to street level and walk east down the Champs-Élysées towards Place de la Concorde (10–15 minutes)
2. At Place de la Concorde, turn north towards Boulevard Haussmann (5 minutes)
3. Continue east along Boulevard Haussmann or northeast via the streets of the 8th arrondissement to Place de l’Opéra (10–15 minutes)

The walk passes the upper Champs-Élysées (luxury boutiques, cinemas, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais to the south), Place de la Concorde (one of Europe’s grandest public spaces), and the Madeleine church — a concentrated sample of Haussmannian Paris before you arrive at Opera Garnier.

Walking this route gives you an outdoor understanding of how the Second Empire city was structured — the great axes, the monumental perspectives — that the metro completely bypasses. If weather and time allow, walk it.

By Taxi or Rideshare (10–15 minutes)

A taxi or rideshare from Place Charles-de-Gaulle to Place de l’Opéra costs approximately €10–€15 depending on traffic. The direct route runs along Avenue de Friedland and Boulevard Haussmann. Traffic on this corridor can be slow in peak hours.

What You See at the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe rooftop visit includes:

The climb or lift: 284 steps wind up through the interior of the arch to the rooftop terrace. A lift is available for visitors with mobility needs (confirm availability in advance).

The rooftop panorama: 360° views from 50 metres above the Place Charles-de-Gaulle. The perspective down the Champs-Élysées — the longest straight line in Paris — towards the Louvre’s glass pyramid 3 km to the east is the iconic shot. The Eiffel Tower to the southwest, Sacré-Cœur to the north, and La Défense’s modern skyline to the west are all visible on clear days.

The carvings and friezes: Up close, the Arc de Triomphe’s sculptural programme — particularly Rude’s La Marseillaise on the northeast pillar — is extraordinary. Take time on the way up to look at the relief panels and the names of Napoleon’s generals inscribed around the upper interior.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: At the base of the arch, the eternal flame and tomb (free to visit without a ticket) mark France’s remembrance of World War I. A simple and moving element of any visit.