11 November 2026 at a glance
| Fact | What to remember |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday 11 November 2026, public holiday |
| Ceremony venue | Arc de Triomphe, tomb of the Unknown Soldier |
| Time | Late morning; France 2 broadcasts live from 9:30 am (France Télévisions 2026 programme) |
| Arc de Triomphe | Closed to visitors in the morning, reopens in the afternoon |
| Around the Arc | Place Charles-de-Gaulle and the top of the Champs-Élysées closed off during the ceremony |
| Transport | Public-holiday service; some metro exits in the area may be closed |
The ceremony: what happens
Based on previous editions, the President of the Republic pays tribute at the statue of Georges Clemenceau on the Champs-Élysées, then walks up to the Arc de Triomphe. The ceremony includes honours to the flag, a review of the troops, the rekindling of the flame of the Unknown Soldier and La Marseillaise sung by the French Army Choir. It ends with a march-past of the Republican Guard cavalry on the Champs-Élysées.
The public watches the ceremony from behind barriers, at a distance, and access to the area is filtered by the police. Arrive early and follow police instructions on the spot. If you would rather avoid the crowd, the television broadcast gives a clearer view than the pavement.
Open or closed on 11 November
- Open: the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and the Palace of Versailles, with their usual hours. Check the official website the day before.
- Closed or limited: banks, public offices and many shops; transport runs a public-holiday service.
- Arc de Triomphe: closed in the morning. The flame of the Unknown Soldier is rekindled every evening at 6:30 pm, a short free ceremony.
- Around it: avoid cars and taxis in the 8th and 16th arrondissements before noon.
For the other public holidays of the calendar, see Public holidays in France and Paris, and for the whole month What to do in Paris in November.
The afternoon: climbing the Arc de Triomphe
Once the ceremony is over, the Arc reopens. The terrace gives a panorama of the Champs-Élysées, the Étoile, La Défense and the Eiffel Tower; the staircase has 284 steps. A timed ticket avoids the queue at the ticket office. Book an afternoon slot for 11 November: slots fill up when the city is on a public holiday. The page on the Arc de Triomphe gives hours and prices, and the Champs-Élysées page the surroundings.
Other ideas for a public holiday
- The Army Museum, at Les Invalides: the most logical visit for an Armistice day. See the page on the Hôtel des Invalides.
- The Louvre: open, but busy on a public holiday; see The Louvre: official ticket or guided tour.
- Paris Photo at the Grand Palais: the fair opens to the public on 12 November, the next day.
Information checked on 23 October 2026 (France Télévisions, outline of previous editions, our guide to November). The official programme and road closures for 11 November 2026 were not published: consult the Préfecture de Police.
