In short
Originally a training ground for royal army cadets, the Champ de Mars (Field of Mars) is today one of the most iconic and photographed open spaces on the planet. Its long geometric perspective connects the neoclassical façade of the École Militaire to the Seine, offering a privileged vantage point to admire the Eiffel Tower in all its majesty.
Period: inaugurated in 1780 (redesigned in 1908)
Amenities: fenced children's play areas, snack and drink kiosks, public restrooms, puppet theater, bicycle rental, and large pedestrian areas.
Points of interest: the Eiffel Tower, the École Militaire, the Peace Wall, the Monument to the Rights of Man and the ancient trees in the lateral groves
Best time: In the evening, to lie down on the grass and watch the spectacle of the Eiffel Tower sparkling every hour
☰ Table of Contents
The ideal stop
As a rest stop immediately after coming down from the top of the Eiffel Tower or after a cruise on the Seine.
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Recommended parking time 45'
Forty-five minutes is enough to travel the straight line and take the classic photos.
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The local rite
Buy a bottle of wine and some treats on Rue de Cler for an evening picnic on the lawns while the tower lights up.
What to see at the Champ de Mars
Explore this very long, monumental straight road to discover the historical testimonies and artistic installations that enrich the sides of the large grassy parterres.
The perspective of the Eiffel Tower Focal point
Enjoy an up-close, unobstructed view of the iron colossus, which dominates the northern end of the park.
The Peace Wall
Observe the modern glass and metal installation erected in 2000, where the word "Peace" is engraved in dozens of different languages and alphabets.
The facade of the École Militaire
Be struck by the imposing eighteenth-century military academy, an architectural masterpiece designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, which closes the southern side of the park.
The Monument to Human Rights
Discover the bizarre stone and bronze structure built in 1989 for the bicentenary of the Revolution, full of esoteric and Masonic symbols.
The nineteenth-century groves
Explore the curved side streets, where winding paths and stone bridges hide rare trees dating back to the old World's Fairs.
Visiting the Champ de Mars
Being one of the most popular destinations on earth, moving through its meadows requires a little logistical attention to enjoy the experience in peace.
Best moment
Early in the morning to take perfect photos without the crowds, or at nine in the summer for the start of the light shows.
Crowding
Extremely high at all hours of the day, especially in the central meadows closest to the base of the iron structure.
Suitable for children
Yes, the wide open spaces, vintage rides and side playgrounds make it perfect for them to run around.
What not to miss
The overall view obtained by positioning yourself exactly in the centre of the avenue, at the midpoint between the academy and the tower.
Type of experience
Monumental, vibrant, touristy, universal and deeply linked to the classic postcard of Paris.
What to expect
Souvenir vendors, travelers from all over the world, cameras everywhere, and the massive monument towering into the sky.
How to visit the Champ de Mars
We recommend starting your walk from the metroÉcole Militairemetro , proceed along the central lawns, walking straight toward the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower, then turning onto the shady side paths to escape the summer sun. Book tickets for the Tower to see it from above.
Need to know
- The name is inspired by the Campo di Marte in ancient Rome.
- The area hosted the historic Universal Exhibitions of the nineteenth century.
- The Eiffel Tower was built as the entrance to the fair.
- In 1790 the great Federation Festival was celebrated here.
Practical advice
- Protect your bag from the many pickpockets in the area.
- Avoid buying drinks from illegal vendors on the lawns.
- Many lawns are periodically fenced to allow the grass to regrow.
- Use the free automatic toilets hidden among the trees.
How to get to the Champ de Mars
This monumental public space stretches along the left bank of the Seine, in the heart of the elegant seventh arrondissement.
Line 8 serves the École Militaire station on the south side.
Line C stops at the Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel station.
Lines 42, 69, 82, 86 and 92 stop along the park.
Cross the Pont d'Iéna from the Trocadéro gardens.
Champ de Mars, 75007
Official Transport Paris
- Paris Metro Map
- RER tickets and fares
- Taxis in Paris (numbers and alternatives)
History of the Champ de Mars
In 1765, King Louis XV approved the construction of the École Militaire, a grandiose academy intended to train young officers for the royal army, among whom a very young Napoleon Bonaparte would study. In front of the palace's façade, an immense expanse of packed earth, originally used for agricultural cultivation, was leveled and named the Champ de Mars in honor of the Roman god of war. The area served for battalion maneuvers, official parades, and mounted exercises for thousands of soldiers.
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With the outbreak of the French Revolution, the field lost its exclusively military function and became the great theater of the first mass civic and republican celebrations. On July 14, 1790, over three hundred thousand Parisians gathered here alongside the king and Lafayette to celebrate the Fête de la Fédération, swearing allegiance to the new Constitution. Unfortunately, the following year, the same space was the scene of the tragic Champ de Mars massacre, where the National Guard opened fire on a crowd of republican demonstrators.
In the second half of the 19th century, the Champ de Mars became the world stage for technological progress, hosting the spectacular Universal Expositions of 1867, 1878, 1889, and 1900. Immense glass and iron buildings were erected on the lawns and later dismantled. It was precisely for the 1889 exposition, organized to commemorate the centenary of the Revolution, that engineer Gustave Eiffel erected his temporary tower on the banks of the Seine, forever changing the neighborhood's destiny.
In 1908, the State decided to definitively cede the land to the City of Paris, which initiated a radical landscape transformation led by architect Jean-Camille Formigé. The old exhibition structures were removed, the central flowerbeds were covered with soft grass, and the tree-lined lateral avenues we admire today were designed. The park is now preparing for a new historical chapter, hosting temporary structures for major international sporting events.
Curiosities about the Champ de Mars
The unusual details and historical anecdotes linked to the capital's large monumental lawn.
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The first parachute experiment: in 1912, inventor Franz Reichelt chose the top of the Eiffel Tower, overlooking the Champ de Mars, to test a parachute of his own invention in front of the authorities; unfortunately, the fabric failed to open and the man lost his life when he crashed to the ground in the park.
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The rubble hills: the small wooded hills that develop along the sides of the park are not natural; they were created artificially by 19th-century workers by piling up the earth and rubble discarded during excavations for the foundations of the exhibition buildings.
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The excellent guillotined: in 1793, during the dark years of the Terror, the scientist and first revolutionary mayor of Paris, Jean Sylvain Bailly, was led to the Champ de Mars and executed by guillotine at the exact spot where he had ordered the crowd to be shot two years earlier.
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A beacon for navigators of the sky: during the first Universal Exhibitions, the central axis of the park was used by aviation pioneers as a gigantic visual reference point to orient the flights of the first airships and hot-air balloons that flew over the city.
Tickets and tours nearby
Find accommodation near the Champ de Mars
Being one of, if not the, most famous areas of Paris, there are many options for staying near the Eiffel Tower , and they are generally not cheap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you walk freely on the Champ de Mars lawns or is it forbidden?
The large central lawns are open to the public for picnics and relaxation during the warm months, except when they are temporarily fenced off for lawn replanting. They are ideal for those visiting Paris with children.
Is there special night lighting along the park paths?
The avenues are illuminated by the classic historic Parisian street lamps, but the main light is that reflected by the nearby monumental Eiffel Tower.
Is it located near the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte?
Yes, the Hôtel des Invalides, which houses the emperor's monumental tomb, is less than a ten-minute walk away, running alongside the École Militaire.
Is the fountain you see near the tower part of the park?
The famous Warsaw Fountain is located on the opposite bank of the Seine, inside the Trocadéro Gardens, directly opposite the Champ de Mars.
Can you rent electric scooters on tree-lined streets?
Rental electric scooters are prohibited within the park; they must be parked in the street parking spaces outside. You can, however, explore the park on a Segway tour.
Are there any kiosks selling official Eiffel Tower souvenirs?
The internal kiosks mainly sell food and drinks, while the official souvenir shops are located at the base and inside the pillars of the tower.
Does the park host free concerts or music events during the summer?
Yes, historically the Champ de Mars hosts the large free concert on July 14th for the National Day, which attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators.
Can you see the Seine while sitting on the steps of the École Militaire?
No, the distance of ametro and the slight curvature of the land hide the mirror of the river, but the view of the tower remains intact.
