Start at the Place de l 'Etoile ( officially Place Charles-de-Gaulle , but nobody calls it that ) , preferably at the top of Napoleon 's gigantic Arc de Triomphe , from which you 'll get a good view of the 12-pointed star formed by the avenues radiating from the arch in a tour de force of geometric planning .
Place Charles-de-Gaulle is its official name , but everybody calls it Place de l 'etoile .