Mary

I frequently see referrals to the l'Etoile around the Arc de Triomphe area of Paris, but I am not exactly certain what it is. Some where I saw it is the traffic circle around the Arc also known as Place Charles de Gaulle. WHAT IS THE L'ETOILE?

pedro

"L'Etoile" means "the star" in French. Pickup a Paris city map and try to figure out why.

xxx

I'll venture a guess. The traffic circle has roads that radiate off from it and from above it looks like a star.

Andre

Mary,<BR><BR>You guessed correctly: the HUGE traffic circle around the Arc de Triomphe is officially called the Place Charles de Gaulle, but is commonly referred to as the Etoile (French for star), due to the configuration of the intersection, with the various avenues (12?) radiating from the Arc de Triomphe like the branches of a star(you get a great view of this from the top of the Arc de Triomphe).<BR><BR>Andre

pedro

brilliant guess

Pedro

IMHO, the view from the top of Arc de Triomphe is more spectacular than the views from the Eiffel Tower. The only problem is the stairs you have to climb up, but it is worth the effort.<BR><BR>Adieu, au revoir

clairobscur

"Place de l'Etoile" (called that way for the obvious reason pointed at in previous posts) was the former name of what is now officially "place Charles de Gaulle". Pretty much everybody in Paris still call it that way...

Uncle Sam

Among other things it is noted for being the home of the most unbelievable traffic jam you will ever see in your life!<BR><BR>US

Ian

<BR>No, US. That's called Naples.