Place Charles de Gaulle, Paris

Name: Place Charles de Gaulle
Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, Paris, France

#56 among attractions in Paris

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Facts and practical information

The Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly known as Place de l'Étoile, is a historic public square in Paris, France, renowned for its monumental traffic roundabout and as the setting for one of the city's most iconic landmarks, the Arc de Triomphe. The square is situated at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, right in the heart of Paris.

This circular plaza is a hub from which 12 grand avenues radiate, forming a star (étoile) pattern, which is why its original name was Place de l'Étoile. It was renamed in 1970 after Charles de Gaulle, the former President of France and leader of the Free French Forces during World War II.

The central feature of Place Charles de Gaulle is the impressive Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz, though it was not completed until 1836. The monument stands 50 meters tall and is adorned with intricate sculptures and reliefs celebrating French military achievements. Beneath the Arc is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with its eternal flame commemorating the dead who were never identified from both World Wars.

Visitors to Place Charles de Gaulle can admire the grandeur of the Arc de Triomphe up close and, for a fee, climb to the top for panoramic views over Paris. The terrace provides an unparalleled vantage point to take in the symmetry of the avenues as they spread out from the square.

Due to the high volume of traffic navigating the roundabout, tourists are advised to use the underground pedestrian passageways to access the Arc de Triomphe, rather than attempting to cross the busy road surface. The Place Charles de Gaulle is not only a significant historical site but also a strategic point from which to explore the surrounding upscale districts and the famous Champs-Élysées with its luxury shops, theaters, and cafés.

Local name: Place Charles-de-Gaulle Coordinates: 48°52'26"N, 2°17'42"E

Address

Place Charles de GaullePassy (Chaillot)Paris France

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Day trips

Place Charles de Gaulle – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Avenue George V, Le Queen.

0.5 miSE
Iconic site of landmarks, dining and shops
Champs-Élysées, Paris
14 min walk • The Champs-Élysées is one of the most iconic and glamorous boulevards in the world, renowned as a beacon of luxury and fashion in the heart of Paris, France. Stretching for 1.9 kilometers, this historic avenue runs between the Place de la Concorde and the Place...
~0 ftW
Empire architecture, Arch, Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin
Arc de Triomphe, Paris
1 min walk • The Arc de Triomphe stands majestically at the western end of the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France, and is one of the most iconic monuments in the city. This grand arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz, but it was not completed...
0.5 miSE
Shopping, Shopping district
Avenue George V, Paris
13 min walk • Avenue George V is a street in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. It starts at Place de l'Alma, and ends at No. 99 avenue des Champs-Elysées. It marks the western limit of Paris's "golden triangle". Until 14 July 1918, the avenue was called Avenue d'Alma.
~1780 ftE
Nightlife, Dancing
Le Queen, Paris
9 min walk • Le Queen is a nightclub in Paris, located on the avenue des Champs-Élysées. Once a gay nightclub, Le Queen was formerly known as "Le Central" until its closing in early 1991. It was more or less the sequel to the Parisian club "Le Boy", as it was owned by the same person. The original "Directeur Artistique" was David Guetta.
~1490 ftE
Cabaret and burlesque show since 1946
Lido, Paris
8 min walk • Le Lido is a cabaret and burlesque show located on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France. It opened in 1946 at 78 Avenue des Champs-Élysées and moved to its current location in 1977.
0.4 miNE
Church
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Paris
11 min walk • The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox cathedral church located at 12 rue Daru in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. It was established and consecrated in 1861, making it the first Russian Orthodox place of worship in France.
~1170 ftE
Nightlife, Cinema
Le Balzac, Paris
6 min walk • Le Balzac is a movie theater in Paris, France. It features an art deco main auditorium, and is known for its independent arthouse programming.
0.5 miSE
Church, Sacred and religious sites
American Cathedral in Paris, Paris
13 min walk • The American Cathedral in Paris, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, is one of the oldest English-speaking churches in Paris.
~1810 ftN
Square
Place des Ternes, Paris
9 min walk • Place des Ternes is a square in the 8th and 17th arrondissements of Paris, at the junction of Avenue de Wagram, Boulevard de Courcelles, Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré and Avenue des Ternes. It has borne its present name since 1893.
0.4 miS
Church, Romanesque revival architecture
Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot, Paris
11 min walk • Saint-Pierre de Chaillot is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Chaillot neighborhood of the 16th arrondissement of Paris, at 31, avenue Marceau.
~1840 ftSW
Museum, Art museum, Specialty museum
Musée Dapper, Paris
9 min walk • Musée Dapper was a French museum specializing in African art. It was opened in May 1986, and closed on 18 June 2017. The Dapper Foundation is still located at the same premises in the 16th arrondissement of Paris at 35 rue Paul Valéry, Paris, France.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Place Charles de Gaulle?

Nearby attractions include Arc de Triomphe, Paris (1 min walk), Rue de Presbourg, Paris (3 min walk), Rue de Tilsitt, Paris (4 min walk), Avenue Foch, Paris (5 min walk).

How to get to Place Charles de Gaulle by public transport?

The nearest stations to Place Charles de Gaulle:

Train

Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (1 min walk)
Charles de Gaulle — Étoile (1 min walk)

Bus

Étoile - Champs Elysées • Lines: Direct 1, Direct 2 (2 min walk)
Charles de Gaulle - Étoile - Grande Armée • Lines: 73, N11, N24 (2 min walk)

Metro

Charles de Gaulle — Étoile • Lines: 1, 2, 6 (2 min walk)
Kléber • Lines: 6 (5 min walk)

Ferry

Tour-Eiffel • Lines: Batobus (25 min walk)
Port des Champs-Elysées • Lines: Batobus (29 min walk)

Tram

Porte d'Asnières-Marguerite Long • Lines: T3b (30 min walk)