What Did They Do to the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe has some extra space to breathe here in Paris.
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bio.site/jayswanson
My name is Jay Swanson - I'm an American writer living in Paris on an artist visa. Paris (yes the one in France) has been my home for years now and I have every intention of staying here for as long as they'll have me. I write science-fiction and fantasy, vlogged daily for 3+ years, and love pizza a little too much. Now I make videos about visiting Paris, traveling in Europe, and try to share what I've learned along the way. I hope you enjoyed what you found.
Links are affiliate links where they can be - meaning if you click through them and buy something, I'll get some pennies. Thanks! (The FTC wants me to tell you that up front)
Patron Producer: Brad Shumard
Edited by: Reminiscing
Music by: ‪@Dyalla‬

[@susangalpin4967]

Cooper is so brave as he navigates the crowds!

[@JaySwanson]

He's a trooper!

[@visitingsantafe7036]

I love Cooper. He is so well-trained, well-behaved. And a lovie. Reflects on you. I also think every time I watch your videos about all the time involved in setting up your camera for a quick shot, but they add so much to the narrative. Thank you.

[@SteveWhite24]

When will we see a t-shirt design with Cooper sticking out of your shirt pocket? That would be awesome. 😀

[@danielryan4050]

Thankyou Jay. We're visiting Paris from Australia next year and the Arc is one of the main things that my wife wants to visit, though we're going to climb to the top. Seeing the tunnels and the alterations they've made around the base is really great.

[@JaySwanson]

Happy to show a bit of what's up 🥂

[@emmawinn6129]

Thank you so much for the updates of Paris leading up to the Olympics, I’m visiting in April for the first time and every video you release makes me more and more excited!!

[@JaySwanson]

You're gonna have a blast!

[@MaryVitale]

I can’t wait to watch your city updates as we get closer to the Olympics!!!

[@JaySwanson]

I'm choosing the path of optimism 😆

[@scottfbradley]

Great video and energy, Jay.

[@elcee8]

Wow. I was here at the Arc de Triomphe in September. Loved it.

[@JaySwanson]

🥂

[@ando_por_ahi]

Waking up at 2am, feeling so empty, so lonely. Watching your videos give me some sort of brightness ahead.

[@JaySwanson]

Hang in there 🙏

[@iniabellepaz445]

Hi Jay, always enjoy learning something new about Paris! Stay well

[@JaySwanson]

Thanks, you too!

[@melandyosgoodthings3142]

Thanks for the update and lovely views.

[@JaySwanson]

You bet

[@gullsrus]

My favourite part of Paris. Its beautiful in its self and you have a lovely view of Paris. Thanks for posting

[@PokhrajRoy.]

3:30 Omg same in London: I was at Green Park and thank goodness I reached before the Field Trips because I do not do well under claustrophobia

[@RAD6150]

Drove in Paris once to get to our apartment... never again. Next time, we picked up a car a Gare du Nord and went straight out!

[@JaySwanson]

Lesson learned 😆

[@mirelaxo]

I’m coming to Paris in September so the tips will definitely come in handy. Thanks Jay!

[@JaySwanson]

Happy to help!

[@vanessazannis5523]

I love today’s video! So interesting what’s going on around the Arc. Looks and feels like Paris is never going to be the same after the games leave.

[@JaySwanson]

Here's hoping it's for the better!

[@frankkownacki1364]

Speaking of car rentals... We took the train to Paris, hung out, then got out to De Gaulle to pick up our rental car to drive off to other French sites. We had made these arrangements with Enterprise from the States, I believe via Expedia. When we went to pick it up, they would not rent to us since we didn't have a boarding pass from an arrival. Fortunately we found a car at another agency (for a lot more money). Just something to look into if you are going to do a bigger video about car rentals.

[@JaySwanson]

Oh interesting and also blegh, that sounds no fun

[@SpatchG]

Thanks for the exit tip!

[@JaySwanson]

I gotchu!

[@jmleigh3]

I enjoy watching your videos as well as your doggo. ❤❤❤

[@JaySwanson]

I'm so glad!

[@jmleigh3]

@@JaySwanson omg you responded♥️♥️♥️ I think you are the bees knees. Going to be in Paris in 2 weeks. Excited to use the tools you have provided!

[@RedHeadAgent]

What a beautiful and clear bright day you had to film. (I think that the extra space is being planned for extra Olympic pedestrians.)

[@onpole01]

Thanks mate good advice 👍

[@JaySwanson]

Any time!

[@DavidS5118]

Saw another video that all the construction around the Arc is for the "green" project that is going on in Paris.... But could also just be some clean up for the 2024 Olympics...

[@JaySwanson]

Paul showed me some of the renders for the green project today and it made sense - here's hoping!

[@ADAtrips]

Thanks for showing the update on the Arc, I suppose they are preparing Olympic crowds. Showing before and after the Olympic preparations is interesting. I hope on one of my trips (soon). I want to visit the venues before the crowds show. 🌴🌴Aloha

[@jlafunk]

I was there in September 2023 and I went all out on the English Tour of the Arc. I have to say, I learned so much from that tour. Sadly, the Grand Armee side was roped off (it was during the Rugby World Cup so maybe it was construction, maybe it was an event?) but I highly recommend the tour and you see everything and still get to go to the top.

[@JaySwanson]

I doubt I'll ever stop learning here

[@pnwesty7174]

One vote for car rentals (we generally SNCF out of Paris and rent in a much smaller city), and one vote for Cooper.

[@JaySwanson]

Lil bub

[@auntiemjo]

Love the photo of the bench....hysterical! Bon chance to Nate in.....? Anyway, hoping you'll be giving us the scoop on all things Paris Olympics (since not coming this summer).

[@JaySwanson]

He's on his way to Madagascar 🚀

[@rudfil]

I drove around this roundabout in 1998 in my rental car as a tourist. We made it thru and survived without a scratch.lol.

[@DavidS5118]

I did it in 2018 - stopped driving all together after that one... :)

[@JaySwanson]

😆😆

[@marjorieorveau6707]

Some good tips on visiting the Arc de Triomphe, especially the photo ones. Big plans for the Olympics but not enough time to complete...

[@JaySwanson]

🥂

[@erikat5678]

They are giving standoff for two reasons, crowds and security. They do not want trucks or cars to be able to come close to the monuments to avoid threats. Additionally, they will have more crowds than usual so they need extra room for pedestrians and tourists to have a safe place to see the sites. 😁

[@JaySwanson]

If you look at the renders for future plans, it looks like the intention is to plant some trees out there too 🤩

[@erikat5678]

@@JaySwanson Trees can block a solid car or truck too. ;) Plus they are purtee!

[@MarcApicella]

def interested in traveling rest of france vid

[@JaySwanson]

🙏🙏

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Nice to know your gateway to spice tolerance was intense mustard. In Bengal, we have Kasundi which has Mustard Seeds in it.

[@JaySwanson]

That'll do it

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I mean, Jay was hinting at an Arc de Triomphe Investigative Piece for a while now.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

3:17 EXCUSE ME?! My mind is so broken right now 😂

[@helenamvu]

Interested in a "rent a car and travel the rest of France" video because we're doing just that soon!

[@massiabailey9161]

Just rented a car in Paris though we were advised against it. I agree if you are traveling solo or adults only. We had two children with us and found it was simpler to navigate the city in a rental.“Simpler” but not easier, cheaper, or faster. I would suggest you always leave with enough time because the traffic to, in, and from Paris is horrendous as well as finding suitable parking 🅿️ while there. We typically gave ourselves an extra hour. For instance, traveling from our Airbnb to Versailles was 30 minutes. We left there an additional 30 minutes before that time, got to the venue 15 minutes earlier and walked around the area before our 12:30 Versailles appointment.

[@tompurvis1261]

I have twice started in Paris with a rental. Made the mistake on the first trip and came back with the car.

[@carolbrenner3121]

❤❤❤

[@JaySwanson]

🥂🥂

[@SethinBerlin]

Whenever I shoot my walking away scenes, I'm so afraid someone is gonna grab my little crappy GoPro!

[@sanmanross]

We heard the roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe was being replaced with green space (i.e. no more cars allowed). Not sure if this is true or not or even if this was temporary for only the Olympics.

[@mauramurrihy]

Jay, love your videos. Truly. How can a disabled person get from the street level from the Arc de Triomphe perimeter street level to the Arc elevators?

[@JaySwanson]

That is a fantastic question. Creatively, before the new barriers I would say get a taxi to drop you at the curb of the roundabout. Now, with the stairs into the tunnel, I'm not sure, but I'll try to remember to ask next time I go

[@mlomarechal6877]

Apparemment il est prévu de laisser plus de place aux piétons et de végétaliser, donc .... à suivre.

[@JaySwanson]

C'est la végétalisation qui m'intéresse le plus 🤩

[@mlomarechal6877]

@@JaySwanson Vous pouvez savoir ce qui sera réalisé sur l'avenue des Champs Elysées (entre l'Etoile et la Concorde) en regardant sur internet. Cela devrait être vraiment beau après (beaucoup de verdure).

[@H-bv1xt]

I bought the Museum Pass for myself which allows me to visit Arc De Triomphe without a reservation, my kids are under 18 so no need for museum pass. I’m trying to book tickets for Arc De Triomphe for my kids, but the website won’t allow me to just book the free children tickets alone without paying for adult ticket. Does anyone know if they will allow my kids to join me without a reservation? Or do I need to pay for an adult ticket just to get the free children’s ticket? Thanks in advance.

[@dccoulthard]

2:08 Yeah, I learned that the hard way in 1998.

[@christophermichaelclarence6003]

Lol you wouldn’t ? Even back then, during the Jacques Chirac mandate, it’s dangerous to get across the Arc de Triomphe

[@JaySwanson]

It's a sprint to say the least 😆

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Nate seems cool. I forget whether we’ve seen him before or he’s made brief appearances.

[@JaySwanson]

He's been in a few

[@annas1185]

Hi Jay, I want to order my t-shirt today and had a quick question. The woman in the home page photo - she's wearing the Arc tshirt. I wanted to see what size she's wearing in the photo because I like that fit. Thanks!

[@JaySwanson]

Got lucky with the weather with this one!

[@SethinBerlin]

It's so funny that you guys were talking about Ted Lasso, and I am now rewatching it too! Spoiler but I think my least favorite character is Michelle. Nate is paralyzed by inadequacy, Rupert is what he is. But Michelle, she pretends to be the good person. The person who is in the right. But she's a terrible person.

[@ABigRadWolf]

He sounds like he is an American! Is Nate practicing med in France?? My partner and I are considering moving to France after I finish my medical education if it possible to find a job for us…

[@PokhrajRoy.]

1:42 Not my first rodeo. I’m tall and I’m a semi-accomplished photographer. I’ll get my shot. Even if I don’t, I’ll make it look vague and aesthetic.

[@AreeshaWadia]

Are any monuments or tourist attractions closed for renovation because of olympics 2024? Planning a short trip end of March

[@JaySwanson]

I hope to have more information on this soon, but my best advice now is just to check out their websites before you come, it should all be up to date there!

[@samuelmelton8353]

'I took a roundabout way' - gg

[@JaySwanson]

😎

[@CarterBlumeyer]

I would say the lame was taken up for security reasons.. a car van with high explosives(during the Olympics or anytime) would need to get close to do damage and or take it down.

[@JaySwanson]

Also possible for sure. Seems like it's more for the green projects but security will always be a part of that as well

[@amyspeers8012]

Nate seems like he would have some interesting stories…nurses usually do! 😏

[@JaySwanson]

He has tons

[@andyshacks7812]

Oooh it’ll be interesting if they never hand back Place de La Concorde to traffic. Where will all the traffic go? Must admit I like what they’ve done at Arc de Triomphe - much better!

[@JaySwanson]

yeah it's interesting, it feels safer in case anyone steps off the curb

[@tompurvis1261]

Tell me that you are related to the drummer from Sungazer. He even sounds and talks like you.

[@SethinBerlin]

Could someone explain to me what Vadro in the intro means?

[@JaySwanson]

Vlog A Day Reboot! VADR. Then it's numbers, starting with 0 :D

[@SethinBerlin]

@@JaySwanson love it!

[@hbeerman372]

👕👕👕❤❤❤👕👕👕

[@charlesfriday7942]

Is that Panda Panda?

[@JaySwanson]

It is!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

YES TO PEDESTRIAN SUPREMACY! Walking around is a fundamental right.

[@JaySwanson]

🙏

[@oakpope]

What's the name of the Chinese please ?

[@JaySwanson]

Panda Panda 🐼

[@oakpope]

@@JaySwansonThank you ! Merci bien !

[@chefvinnie8952]

SO, Nate is quite handsome

[@JaySwanson]

totally!

[@samuelmelton8353]

first

[@JaySwanson]

🥇

[@LJ_nowandalways]

space invaders game over?

[@JaySwanson]

Nah, it continues

[@bluewaterstudio]

First thing they taught me in film school - never assume your audience is as interested in seeing you jog, lift weights, work out, do laundry, or talk to and feed your dog ... as you do. They will not find this interesting or of any value to your exposition. I got a C+ so I'm hardly an authority! 🤪

[@mauramurrihy]

Disagree. I find this information interesting.

[@carolbrenner3121]

😊

[@grantedaccess9939]

Aww man, but i like the scenes that include positive dog interactions. Turns out assuming anything can be tricky. J’adore cooper ❤

[@SpaceyStacy74]

Wow, judgy much? If you don’t find it interesting, then don’t watch it.

[@JaySwanson]

🐶 🏃🏋️