Once you turn onto Champs Élysées, you can’t miss the 164-foot-tall marble island at the far end. One of the biggest symbols of Paris out there, the Arc de Triomphe was built to impress, and judging by the waves of visitors it gets almost 100 years later, it’s doing its job—and then some. Whether you’re glimpsing it from afar or zooming around it on the surrounding traffic circle, you’ll be tempted to snap a quick photo. But it’s actually worth getting a more thorough look up close, where you can study the intricate carvings or reflect at the Unknown Soldier’s tomb. Inside, a small museum tells the story of the Arc’s connection to Napoleon, the saga of its 30-year construction that kicked off in 1806, and its symbolism to the French people. There’s also a rooftop terrace with incredible views of the city.