Triumph, at night: the Arc de Triomphe revealed in a new light in this exhibition

The Arc de Triomphe is presenting a new exhibition that offers a fresh perspective on the monument. From October 28, 2026, to March 26, 2027, discover the exhibition Triomphe, la nuit.

At night, Paris changes. Monuments light up, shadows bring out new details, and the atmosphere around them becomes more mysterious, sometimes more romantic, sometimes more grandiose... The Arc de Triomphe thus leads a double life: by day, it is an emblem of the Champs-Élysées, a monument tourists come to admire. At night, the Arc becomes a place for celebration and gathering, a backdrop for major national and popular events.

From October 28, 2026, to March 26, 2027, the Arc de Triomphe presents the exhibition Triumph by Night. Through photographs, paintings, posters, drawings and archival documents, visitors discover the vibrant nightlife of this iconic Paris landmark.

The Arc de Triomphe was built between 1806 and 1836 to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz. It was later transformed into a cenotaph, becoming the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1920. While Parisians know one part of the monument’s history well, this exhibition aims to shed light on a very different story.

The monument’s nocturnal history, meanwhile, is shaped by social events, technological advances and political changes... The exhibition is divided into three chapters, exploring urban life in Paris, tributes and memory, and the arts and performances.

From the moment it was inaugurated, the Arc de Triomphe benefited from the public lighting (gas lighting in its early years) installed along Paris’s main thoroughfares. It has therefore always been at the heart of the major events of its time. Public festivities, a vigil in honor of Victor Hugo, fireworks, military celebrations, and funeral vigils for soldiers: the monument is an important gathering place for the French people.

The Arc de Triomphe also quickly became part of the capital’s cultural life. Christmas illuminations, New Year’s Eve celebrations, sporting victories: the monument draws locals and tourists alike, who make the most of this grand setting to add a touch of beauty to their celebrations.

The monument has also inspired many artists, who use the Arc both as a backdrop for their Parisian scenes and as a subject in its own right. Brassaï, Robert Doisneau, Catherine Feff, and, of course, Christo and Jeanne-Claude : the Arc de Triomphe is a true muse for artists.

The history of France and Paris, urban development, art, architecture, and social and popular events: by observing the Arc de Triomphe at night, visitors can explore a range of intersecting themes that come together to form a rich and fascinating story. Looking to the future, the exhibition also invites us to consider how we will use public spaces in the years ahead, the sustainability of public lighting, and the challenges facing the city’s nighttime policy.

Come and rediscover the Arc de Triomphe with this unexpected and fascinating exhibition.