Remember that this roundabout has 12 avenues of traffic coming onto it. It’s complete and utter chaos, and I would add at least five minutes into your schedule to stand by and watch all manner of vehicles maneuver themselves around.
The Arc de Triomphe is open seven days a week from 10.00am – 11.00pm from April 1st to September 30th, and 10.00am – 10.30pm from October 1st to March 31st. The Arc closes on January 1st, May 1st, the morning of May 8th and July 14th, as well as on December 25th.
It’s free to enter the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, you only need to pay to access the museum and the observation deck which costs €13. It’s also free to enter if you are under the age of 18, or if you visit on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November, and December.
Before you get to the top-level viewpoint, there is a small museum inside the top of the arch (mezzanine) that you may want to spend time perusing. There are mediation screens, the molding and the model of the monument.
Don’t miss the replica of the winged woman that’s on The Departure of Volunteer high relief on the outside of the arch. She’s uttering a cry of alarm in the face of the enemy invasion as she brandishes her sword inviting the people to fight.