What was the previous name of Place Charles de Gaulle?

The junction was historically known as Place de l'Étoile due to the star pattern formed by its radiating avenues, and earlier as Butte Chaillot.

Which monument stands at the centre of the square?

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the centre of the junction, positioned along the historic axis of Paris.

What memorial is located underneath the central arch?

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies beneath the vault of the Arc de Triomphe.

Which public transit station connects to the square?

The junction is directly served by the Charles de Gaulle–Étoile station via Métro and RER connections.

Who commissioned the central monument?

Emperor Napoleon commissioned the Arc de Triomphe, which was later inaugurated during the reign of King Louis Philippe.

Paris · France

place Charles-de-Gaulle: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Pedestrians cross underneath through subterranean corridors rather than attempting the radiating avenues of unlaned roadway above.

Place Charles de Gaulle · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Now in the cityplace Charles-de-Gaulle+10°CCloudyupdated 11:23 AM Around here10

Exchange rate€0.89per 1 $EUR — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026

Within two hours

Bastille≈ 30 min Louvre Museum≈ 40 min Notre-Dame de Paris≈ 1 hr

About the place

A colossal circular intersection anchors the western end of the Axe historique, channeling road traffic around the Arc de Triomphe.

The square forms the central pivot for radiating avenues that stretch across western arrondissements. Paved originally as a star-shaped junction on a prominent mound, the space was expanded under Baron Haussmann to create broad boulevards converging on the central monument. Circular outer roadways named for historic treaties enclose the perimeter, directing surface vehicles around the open monumental plaza.

Read on

At the center stands the Arc de Triomphe, sheltering the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath its vault. Because surface crossings are restricted for safety, pedestrians navigate the complex entirely through pedestrian underpasses. Beneath the stone arches, the Charles de Gaulle–Étoile transit hub links major underground train lines, making the plaza an unavoidable daily interchange for cross-city commuters.

Associations

Arc de TriompheThe landmark monument marks the center of the radiating junction.
Charles de Gaulle–ÉtoileMajor multi-line railway and subway interchange below the roundabout.
Champs-ÉlyséesThe avenue extends southeast along the historical urban axis.
Surface trafficDense multi-lane vehicle flow requires using subterranean passages.

Facts

The monumental plaza anchors the historical axis running through central Paris.
The Arc de Triomphe shelters the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the centre of the square.
The plaza was redesigned under Baron Haussmann with radiating avenues forming a star pattern.
Underground tunnels connect the Charles de Gaulle–Étoile transit station with the surface.
The location was renamed in honour of President Charles de Gaulle.

Updated September 10, 2026Source: Wikipedia

place Charles-de-Gaulle: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around10

A colossal circular intersection anchors the western end of the Axe historique, channeling road traffic around the Arc de Triomphe.

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