Obélisque de Louxor
Obélisque de Louxor
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Louvre / Palais-Royal
From the majestic Louvre to the regal Palais-Royal, this neighbourhood oozes luxury. The grand arches along Rue de Rivoli are shadowed by mosaics in front of decorated vitrines and hotels. Place Vendôme is lined with the world’s best jewelers and their glittering window displays. Every other establishment has someone to open the door for you or park your car. You can spend hours gazing at its haute couture shops or lingering over a meal at any of its chic eateries. After all that indulgence, the Tuileries gardens provide stately respite, while theatres compete for your applause. It's a neighbourhood that draws admirers from around the world, all attracted to the luxe life in Paris.
How to get there
- Concorde • 3 min walk
- Assemblée Nationale • 8 min walk
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4,195 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
652 reviews
Excellent
242
Very good
281
Average
117
Poor
9
Terrible
3
Colleen C
Troy, NY2,518 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We visited the Obelisk in the beginning of November and the area surrounding it was under Construction so if your on foot it was very easy to get to since no traffic was in the way. From here its like a center point and you can see the Louvre in one direction the opposite side the Arc de Triumph and near the Arc~ Grand Palais & Eiffel Tower! Plus the Fontaine des Mers are in front and back of the Obelisk and Place de la Concorde in the direct background.
Would love to one day go to Egypt so seeing this up-close was amazing the hieroglyphs are so well preserved~ one of my favorite parts of touring Paris.
Would love to one day go to Egypt so seeing this up-close was amazing the hieroglyphs are so well preserved~ one of my favorite parts of touring Paris.
Written 16 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Acineto
Auckland Central, New Zealand23,296 contributions
Jan 2020
I first noticed it when we had to exit at the Concorde metro due to the strikes. The column is quite tall and stood out from the rest of the area. Aside from the golden top, there was also golden writing near the base. I wasn't able to take a look since we were on the way to Versaille. It is also in the middle of the road so it requires some care to get close to.
We happened to pass by again and noticed that there were hieroglyphics along the side of the column. It was quite amazing. It gets lit up at night but you can't see the golden tip. I also didn't realise that it was beside the Tuileries Garden and down the road (a bit far down) from the Arc de Triumph. It was something interesting to see and owrh the visit to the area.
We happened to pass by again and noticed that there were hieroglyphics along the side of the column. It was quite amazing. It gets lit up at night but you can't see the golden tip. I also didn't realise that it was beside the Tuileries Garden and down the road (a bit far down) from the Arc de Triumph. It was something interesting to see and owrh the visit to the area.
Written 7 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Uncle Badger
The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, UK618 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Historic and an absolute must sight. Best experienced after a walk through Jardin des Tuileries. It never seems to be spectacularly busy here so you shouldn’t be bothered by large crowds.
It is beyond how anyone could rate a free to see landmark negatively.
It is beyond how anyone could rate a free to see landmark negatively.
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler O
Washington DC, DC1,216 contributions
Mar 2023
This obelisque is said to mark the spot where the guillotine stood during the French Revolution from 1789. Situated in the center of Place de la Concorde, formerly known as Place de la Revolution, it's easy to see when coming through the square. You can cross over the street, but be mindful as it's an extremely busy traffic square as well and taxis and trucks tend to ignore traffic lights - as do virtually all cyclists and motorbikes.
Written 8 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug_T_88
St. Petersburg, FL22 contributions
Jan 2020
This Obelisk should be returned to Egypt and placed where it belongs at Luxor Temple. It is a falsehood to state that Egypt gave it to France. The Turkish Ottoman's, who conquered and colonized Egypt gave it to France as they did many other items of Egyptian heritage.
The French could easily create a replica for Pace de la Concorde to celebrate the Obelisk's place in French history.
The French could easily create a replica for Pace de la Concorde to celebrate the Obelisk's place in French history.
Written 27 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Oct 2019
The Obelisque de Louxor is quite a sight. It was a gift from Egypt in the 1830s in exchange for a clock! Standing in the middle of Place de la Concorde you can't miss it. However it is a bit difficult to understand why it's there and not where it probably belongs. It is one of two such columns, the other one standing at the Luxor Temple in Egypt where it was intended to be. Be that as it may, it is a wonderful piece of history and certainly worth a stop.
Written 23 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loretta R
Hermosa Beach, CA395 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
In the heart of Paris is the Place de la Concorde, and in the heart of the Place de la Concorde is the Obelisk of Luxor. This 3,300-year-old obelisk was placed to mark the spot where the guillotine stood during the French Revolution. A lot of heads rolled here, and the obelisk with its red granite column and flashy gilded hieroglyphics, makes sure that visitors at least look at this spot, even if we don’t acknowledge the countless lives that were taken here. While it’s a little odd for an Egyptian obelisk to serve as a prominent marker for such a defining moment in French history, the obelisk was a gift to France from Egypt in 1829 and perhaps represents the global respect paid to this capital of fashion, art, and culture. Still, the obelisk’s hieroglyphics praise the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II, not France. So, it’s still a little strange to see the obelisk in the heart of Paris. I like it, though!
TIP: Place de la Concorde is the prime spot to get a good feel for the layout of Paris’ main tourist destinations. If you imagine the square as the center of a clock, and make West your 12 o’clock point, you will be facing the grand Avenue de Champs Elysees with the Arc de Triomphe at its end point. At your 2 o’clock point is the American Embassy behind a patch of trees (if you have emergency or passport issues, go there). At your 3 o’clock point are two identical stone buildings. (The west building is Hotel Crillon where you can eat a very French & very expensive dinner or lunch for between 80 and 120 Euro PER PERSON—if you want to splurge. Reservations required. And, the east building is the French Naval Ministry). Between Hotel Crillon & the Naval Ministry is the church of the Madeleine. At your 5 o’clock is the starting point of the covered arcade of shops and cafes that line the Rue de Rivoli (Eat at Angelina’s or, at the very least, drink their famous hot chocolate). At your 6 o’clock are the Tuileries Gardens with the Louvre Palaces behind them. (Notre Dame & Sainte Chappelle are not in view, but they are 2 miles directly behind the Louvre if you walk along the river.) At your 7 o’clock in the corner of the Tuileries and along the river is the Orangerie Museum where Monet’s Waterlilies are. (The D’Orsay Museum is not in view, but it is the building with twin giant clocks across the river from the Orangerie, ½ mile away). At your 9 o’clock point is the Concorde Bridge which you would use to reach the National Assembly buildings that are at your 10 o’clock point. (Behind the National Assembly is the golden dome of the Infideles church where Napoleon is buried and sharing a street with the church is the Rodin Museum). Finally, at the 11 o’clock point is the Eiffel Tower. In short, the Place de la Concorde is a fantastic orientation point to visit on the first day of your trip in order to get a strong grasp of the layout of most of Paris’ main sights. You will not get lost in Paris if you use the Place de la Concorde as your central reference point.
TIP: Place de la Concorde is the prime spot to get a good feel for the layout of Paris’ main tourist destinations. If you imagine the square as the center of a clock, and make West your 12 o’clock point, you will be facing the grand Avenue de Champs Elysees with the Arc de Triomphe at its end point. At your 2 o’clock point is the American Embassy behind a patch of trees (if you have emergency or passport issues, go there). At your 3 o’clock point are two identical stone buildings. (The west building is Hotel Crillon where you can eat a very French & very expensive dinner or lunch for between 80 and 120 Euro PER PERSON—if you want to splurge. Reservations required. And, the east building is the French Naval Ministry). Between Hotel Crillon & the Naval Ministry is the church of the Madeleine. At your 5 o’clock is the starting point of the covered arcade of shops and cafes that line the Rue de Rivoli (Eat at Angelina’s or, at the very least, drink their famous hot chocolate). At your 6 o’clock are the Tuileries Gardens with the Louvre Palaces behind them. (Notre Dame & Sainte Chappelle are not in view, but they are 2 miles directly behind the Louvre if you walk along the river.) At your 7 o’clock in the corner of the Tuileries and along the river is the Orangerie Museum where Monet’s Waterlilies are. (The D’Orsay Museum is not in view, but it is the building with twin giant clocks across the river from the Orangerie, ½ mile away). At your 9 o’clock point is the Concorde Bridge which you would use to reach the National Assembly buildings that are at your 10 o’clock point. (Behind the National Assembly is the golden dome of the Infideles church where Napoleon is buried and sharing a street with the church is the Rodin Museum). Finally, at the 11 o’clock point is the Eiffel Tower. In short, the Place de la Concorde is a fantastic orientation point to visit on the first day of your trip in order to get a strong grasp of the layout of most of Paris’ main sights. You will not get lost in Paris if you use the Place de la Concorde as your central reference point.
Written 10 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited this place🇫🇷🇺🇸🇬🇷🇨🇭🇬🇧
Israel35,052 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
PROS
* This is extremely well- located in the very center of Paris
* It marks the very historical exact location of the guillotine of the French Revolution of 1789
* Large and impressive archeological artifact from ancient Egypt, festooned with hieroglyphics
CONS
* In the middle of a horrendous and constantly busy hectic traffic circle area
* Difficult to access and be close next to it
* The area seems to always be under some kind of construction
"I VISITED THIS PALCE"
... because it is so central and historic and iconic. On this visit, I didn't try to get onto the island where the obelisk stands.
WAS IT WORTH THE COST?
It is a free public area
WOULD 'I VISIT THIS PLACE" AGAIN?
Sure- after all, it's very central
ADVICE
* Go and admire the obelisk
* Try to get close, but be careful from heavy and hectic traffic
* This is extremely well- located in the very center of Paris
* It marks the very historical exact location of the guillotine of the French Revolution of 1789
* Large and impressive archeological artifact from ancient Egypt, festooned with hieroglyphics
CONS
* In the middle of a horrendous and constantly busy hectic traffic circle area
* Difficult to access and be close next to it
* The area seems to always be under some kind of construction
"I VISITED THIS PALCE"
... because it is so central and historic and iconic. On this visit, I didn't try to get onto the island where the obelisk stands.
WAS IT WORTH THE COST?
It is a free public area
WOULD 'I VISIT THIS PLACE" AGAIN?
Sure- after all, it's very central
ADVICE
* Go and admire the obelisk
* Try to get close, but be careful from heavy and hectic traffic
Written 16 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Geisler 🇨🇭
Zurich, Switzerland15,442 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
We came as part of our Paris sightseeing tour.
A nice obelisk but not too special.
Is this a helpful review? Then please give me a "Thumbs up Thank FrankGeisler" by clicking the button below.
A nice obelisk but not too special.
Is this a helpful review? Then please give me a "Thumbs up Thank FrankGeisler" by clicking the button below.
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,623 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This 3,000+ year old, 23 metres in height, yellow-granite obelisk was originally from Luxor Temple, Egypt. My first thought was “Why is this not in Egypt?” Then I learned that it was a gift, by a former ruler of Egypt, to France. It has been in France since 1833. On my visit to the obelisk, close viewing was not permitted, as some type of activity seems to be taking place, or maybe they are getting the area ready for some form of event to be held in Place de la Concorde (Concorde Square). We passed the obelisk on our way to Arc de Triumphe. Last year, I looked at it close-up when I was admiring the two fountains which flank it.
It is a very beautiful obelisk. I have seen its twin which is still in Luxor.
It is a very beautiful obelisk. I have seen its twin which is still in Luxor.
Written 19 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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