Photo : Triomphe
Exhibition "Triomphe, la nuit" (Triumph, the night)
An iconic monument of France, the Arc de Triomphe is often depicted in daylight. Yet, since its construction, it has been the site of major nocturnal ceremonies, events, and gatherings. The exhibition "Triomphe, la nuit," in partnership with the City of Paris, recounts and explores this historical and contemporary dimension of the monument at night through a unique iconographic and documentary representation, paced by its lighting.
La salle des Palmes de l'Arc de Triomphe (Paris 8th)
About
The exhibition "Triomphe, la nuit", in partnership with the City of Paris, recounts and explores this historical and contemporary dimension of the monument at night through a unique iconographic and documentary representation, paced by its lighting.
How does lighting transform heritage at night? Designed as a monument bathed in daylight, the Arc de Triomphe has been at the center of a redefinition of nocturnal uses and representations since its inauguration in 1836. At nightfall, new imaginaries – political, memorial, popular – renew its perception through fireworks and grandiose lighting and event staging.
An heir to Antiquity, the Arc nevertheless established itself from its creation in the technical era of the 19th century with the progress of gas lighting and then electricity, parallel to those of photography which soon allowed the nocturnal image of the monument to be captured. From its terrace, another face of Paris is offered to the view: that of the city of light, an urban luminous spectacle of which the monument is an integral part.
Curated by Viviana Gobbato-Guimendego and Isabelle Rouge Ducos, the exhibition reminds us that the Arc de Triomphe also exists at night, and shows how its nocturnal uses radically renew its perception and contribute to building another representation of the monument.
Journey
The exhibition "Triomphe, la nuit" is part of the continuity of the renewed cultural programming that the Arc de Triomphe has benefited from for several years and tells the story of the monument from a new angle — that of a little-known nocturnal history which nevertheless shaped it.
Thus, for the first time, an exhibition focuses on an iconic historical monument of the "City of Light" — the Arc de Triomphe — and the nocturnal events that contributed to its identity: memory, urban life, arts, sports, sustainability. More broadly, the exhibition shows how heritage is transformed by its lighting and the new institutional, memorial, artistic and popular uses it allows. It also explores the issue of lighting public buildings at a time when cities are called upon to rethink their public lighting in light of the ecological transition.
Presented within a space of the Arc little open to the public, the Salle des Palmes, which welcomed the body of the Unknown Soldier in 1920 before his burial, the exhibition is structured around three major sections — "Homage and memory", "Urban life, at night", "Utopia of lights: arts and shows" —, and the focus "Towards a sustainable night". It also offers an educational space to delve deeper into these questions.
Date: From October 28, 2026 to March 26, 2027
Wednesday to Monday 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Tuesdays 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Prices: Included in the entrance ticket
Note: The exhibition is located in the Salle des Palmes of the monument. The elevator is currently unavailable.
Access: Access to the monument is via the Passage du Souvenir, at the top of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées or the Avenue de la Grande-Armée.
Our take on this event
Forget the iconic arch you see every day and step into its mysterious night-time soul. Through a rare collection of archives and light-focused stories, this exhibition uncovers how darkness and artificial brilliance have redefined this legendary landmark across the decades.
Explore the Arc de Triomphe from a new perspective with the Triomphe, la nuit exhibition, hosted in the Salle des Palmes from October 28, 2026, to March 26, 2027. This exhibition investigates how night-time lighting has transformed the monument since the 19th century, covering historical, political, and artistic dimensions while addressing modern ecological concerns. Visitors can discover this unique narrative as part of their general admission ticket to the monument. Please be advised that the elevator is currently out of service, and access is provided via the Passage du Souvenir.
Located in the historic Salle des Palmes, which once held the remains of the Unknown Soldier in 1920, the Triomphe, la nuit exhibition examines the evolution of the Arc de Triomphe after dark. Curated by Viviana Gobbato-Guimendego and Isabelle Rouge Ducos, the display reveals how gas, electricity, and photography have altered our perception of this Parisian landmark since its inauguration in 1836.
The exhibition is organized into three main sections: Tribute and Memory, Urban Life by Night, and Utopia of Lights: Arts and Shows, alongside a focus on sustainable lighting practices. An educational area is also available to help visitors delve deeper into these subjects.
The exhibition runs from October 28, 2026, to March 26, 2027. Opening hours are 10:00 to 22:30 from Wednesday to Monday, and 11:00 to 22:30 on Tuesdays. Admission costs range from 0 to 16 euros and includes access to the full monument tour. Access is via the Passage du Souvenir; please note the elevator is unavailable.
