# Traffic around the Arc de Triomphe

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-around-the-arc-de-triomphe/575250>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 19, 2011, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-around-the-arc-de-triomphe/575250 "2011-03-19T13:17:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-around-the-arc-de-triomphe/575250/21 "2011-03-20T05:21:03Z")

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> [@DCnDC](#):
>
> We have many circles in DC. They are all very tightly regimented, with lanes, markings, signs, and even traffic lights. I see not a one of these things there. All I ever see is a total [clusterfuck](http://images.travelpod.com/users/wendy2007/2.1213189440.view-of-traffic-from-the-top-of-arc.jpg).
> 
> I have to assume there are at least customary “rules” involved?

It never looks right in a still photo. If you could see the vectors, in motion, it would make sense.

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-around-the-arc-de-triomphe/575250/22 "2011-03-20T14:27:17Z")

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> [@DCnDC](#):
>
> We have many circles in DC. They are all very tightly regimented, with lanes, markings, signs, and even traffic lights. I see not a one of these things there. All I ever see is a total [clusterfuck](http://images.travelpod.com/users/wendy2007/2.1213189440.view-of-traffic-from-the-top-of-arc.jpg).
> 
> I have to assume there are at least customary “rules” involved?

As far as I remember, the primary rule is “never make eye contact”.

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**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-around-the-arc-de-triomphe/575250/23 "2011-03-20T15:36:13Z")

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I have a half-French, half-English friend, the perfect model of the English public schoolboy, unfailingly polite and genteel, a real gentleman. The only time I ever saw him flustered was when we met up with him in Paris and he took us on a night-time tour which involved passing by the Arc - suddenly, there he was, leaning on the horn, gesticulating at fellow drivers and muttering under his breath in French!! It is clearly a cursed and evil place!!!

Grim

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**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-around-the-arc-de-triomphe/575250/24 "2011-03-20T16:12:30Z")

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> [@hajario](#):
>
> It’s hilarious to watch the traffic from up there.

It’s genuinely one of the best things in Paris. The contrast between the solemnity of the Arc and the utter chaos below.

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