L'Arc de Triomphe

Place Charles de Gaulle
Paris, France

Contributed by Project for Public Spaces

A monumental arch set in the midst of an enormous traffic circle.

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Why It Doesn't Work

This is one of the most disappointing destinations in Paris. The monument itself is spectacular, but the traffic circle around it, L'Etoile, is spectacularly bad: a vast asphalt expanse filled with speeding cars entering and exiting as quickly as possible. Getting across this expanse at street level is out of the question, and the idea of going underground simply to visit an island the size of a postage-stamp surrounded by hectic traffic is not much more appetizing.

Almost every boulevard that emanates from this location is dominated by vehicles, and excessive parking adds to the devastation caused by high-volume traffic. Only Avenue Victor Hugo and Avenue Foch have any interest as places to walk or stroll. As you get further away from the point of origin, each boulevard gradually improves.

The space for vehicles in the circle around L'Arc de Triomphe could be halved--it would actually reduce drivers' confusion. If this highly recognizable monument could be transformed into a space that belonged to pedestrians as much as cars, it would set a huge precedent for similar spaces in Paris and other cities.

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User Comments:

09/30/04 Ralph Stahley said:
I completely disagree with your review. Some of the best photographs of Paris can be taken from the top of L'arc, and getting there, via the tunnel, was no problem. When walking across the Champs Elysees, turning your head towards the arc reminds you that you aren't in Kansas anymore - you're in Paris, a city that has managed to create industry around its historic past. In addition, watching the cars circling the arc from the viewing deck was quite fun and gave you a sense of just how busy Paris truly is.
07/25/06 vial franck said:
Je suis tout à fait en désaccord avec vos observations de l'arc de triomphe. En effet il s'agit d'un des plus fameux monument français fait pour l'observation. Observation contemplative et observation depuis son toit. Pour ces raisons, les organisateurs du site ont été particulièrement bien inspiré de n'offrir que deux point de vue séparés par la barrière infranchissable de la circulation. La contemplation doit être contrainte dans certains cas pour un accompagnement parfait du touriste.
10/23/06 mariano rosenzvaig said:
Me sumo a los comentarios que plantean desacuerdo con incluir al arco de triunfo en esta galería. El atractivo de París y de sus monumentos radica precisamente en que están integrados y en constante diálogo con la ciudad, porque son parte de ella en su totalidad. Descalificar un monumento tan bello como el arco de triunfo por el tráfico a su alrededor está cerca del absurdo. Las fotos desde y hacia el arco involucran el tráfico y el ritmo de la ciudad, y lo hacen parte de ella. En general, todas las menciones que se hacen de los lugares de París en esta galería recurren a lo mismo, al tráfico y a los autos. Bueno, es París, es frenesí y belleza al mismo tiempo, y en eso radica la magia de esta ciudad. Se pasa de 0 a 100 en un segundo, porque entre medio de tanto movimiento, está también lleno de rincones sacados de una postal por lo bello y solitarios que son.

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