Tomb of the Unknown soldier – Paris, France

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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and my first visit.

This was my first visit to a “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”. I clearly remember the sadness and emotions that I felt that morning when I saw it for the first time. War is unnecessary. It affects the lives of many innocent people and leaves a trail of devastation. How fortunate are the ones that have never been subject to war. Since then I have visited tombs of the Unknown soldiers in other countries and I always feel the same sadness. It creeps up on you like a thick fog and it is very difficult to shake.

To honour the soldiers of World War I, the Arc de Triomphe became the house of the “Tomb of the Unknown soldier”. There is an inscription on the tomb that reads “ Ici Repose un Soldat Français Mort pour La Patrie 1914-1918” and it means “Here lies a French soldier who died for his fatherland 1914-1918“.

There is a flame of Remembrance on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier . The significance of the flame is to pay tribute to the dead, who were never identified during World War I and II.

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The flame that burns 24/7.

Interesting fact about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

• After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, his wife requested that an eternal flame, like the one present on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, be placed next to her husband’s grave.

When is the best time to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

The best time to visit is every evening at 6:30 when the flame is rekindled. It is a beautiful time of the day and afterwards you can climb up the Arc de Triomphe to have a breathtaking view of the city. Or if you want to beat the crowds go early in the morning or buy your ticket online.

Hours of Operation: 

Open from April 1 to September 30 : 10am – 11pm
October 1 to March 31: 10am – 10:30pm
Last call half an hour before closing.
Closed on January 1, May 1, May 8 (am), July 14(am), November 11 (am), December 25
Cost: €9, free under 18

Tips for visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris:

Be wary of the traffic circle that surrounds the arch. It is infamous for accidents—including one several years ago that involved the French transport minister. Use the underground passage from the northeast corner of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

I have been fortunate to have done quite a bit of travelling. By heart I am an adventurer and I love exploring new places, cultures and food. Travelling can become stressful and expensive. Over the years I have learnt to travel as cost effective as possible, simply by travelling more clever. Nelmitravel.com is a Adventure and Budget Travel site where I review Airlines, Accommodation, Transport, Restaurants and give helpful travel information.

10 Comments

  1. I have visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington DC USA and I must say that it had a quietness to it that was almost unearthly. Was it the same there? Also, I always wanted to ask, how do you get to travel so much?

  2. Hi Ed, yes it had the same quietness.I am not travelling a lot lately. These posts are from my travel diaries over the years. I have decided to blog about it and eventually I want to print it in a book format. I have always kept a travel diary and I am a keen photographer. It has helped me a lot with my blog 🙂

  3. Hi Jessica, I wish people would learn from history but sadly they don´t. Thank you for popping in to read the story.

  4. My sister and I visited this wonderful and beautiful site when we visited Paris last summer. It is truly humbling to stand before it, just as it is humbling to stand before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington. I agree though with the traffic surrounding the area as we were warned not to attempt to try and cross as you would surely be hit by a car. Take the underground way!!!!

  5. Hi Nelieta!I'm always so envious with all your travelling adventures…. Paris is always been a dream for me. Sad to say, I don't even have any clue about the tomb of the unknown soldier… Thanks for sharing it, now I'm aware of it! Next, I wish I can visit it too…:) Hahaha! Cheers Nelieta!

  6. Hi Jorie, you have some amazing travel stories yourself and I am quite envious because you are seeing places that I haven´t seen before. Thank you for writing about it and sharing it with the world. If you can visit Paris you will not be disappointed! I stayed for 4 nights and it was not enough! We are looking to go back there when we are planning to go to Russia again. My husband has never been there and I would love to spend time with my hubby in the "City of Love". Ciao Jorie, I am on my way to your blog now 🙂

  7. Hi Nicole, Paris has so many beustiful places to visit and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting this sacred site. It left a memory that will last a lifetime. Like you say, it is truly humbling. The traffic around the Arch is terrible! I remember our Contiki bus took us around the circle TWICE!! We laughed so much and it was an amazing moment.

Thank you for visiting. Have a fabulous day!