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Arc de Triomphe
Along with the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe is one of Paris' most iconic landmarks. It bears the names of battles won and generals lost during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, while housing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath its vault.
History
The Arc de Triomphe was designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806. Commissioned by Napoleon, it was built as a monument to the power and might of the French Empire. And the time of its completion it was the largest triumphal arc in the world and remained so up until 1982.
The finished Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated in 1836 during the reign King Louis-Philippe, who re-dedicated the monument to the French armies. In 1840, Napoleon's remains passed beneath the arc on their way to the Emperor's final resting place in the Les Invalides.
In 1871 the Arc de Tromphe was damaged by the invading Prussian army and later on by the Nazis during WWII. In 1919, the French pilot Charles Goefroy flew his plane through the Arc, three weeks after the 1919 Paris victory parade that celebrated the end of WWII.
Architecture
Inspired by Ancient Rome's Arch of Titus, the Arc de Triomphe's Neoclassical style set the tone for many patriotic monuments that came after it. Its 50-metre high walls are decorated with military scenes while engraved at the top of the arc are the128 major victories during the Revolutionary and the Napoleonic wars. Inscribed on the inside walls are names of French generals who were wounded or killed in battles during those wars.
The most famous sculptural feature of the Arc de Triomphe is the La Marseillaise (1833-36) relief by François Rude, depicting the winged figure of Liberty rallying French volunteer soldiers to battle. When Liberty's sword broke off on the same day of the Battle of Verdun, the relief was covered so that the accident would not be regarded by the public as a bad omen.
The remaining three reliefs are Napoléon's Triumph of 1810 by Cortot; and Resistance of 1814 and Peace of 1815, both by Etex.
Viewing Terrace and Museum
The Arc de Triomphe is ideally placed on the 'historic axis', a route of historic monuments and grand thoroughfares leading from the Louvre to the Grande Arche de la Défense. Visitors looking to climb up onto the viewing terrace of the Arc de Triomphe are treated to impressive views of this monumental stretch and of the 12 avenues radiating out from the Place Charles de Gaulle.
A small museum inside the Arc de Triomphe details its history, architectural design and construction.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The base of the Arc de Triomphe is dedicated to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Its eternal flame is dedicated to the remembrance of human losses suffered during WWI and WWII. Visitors can view the flame being rekindled every evening at 6.30pm and watch the French President lay a ceremonial wreath on the tomb each Armistice Day (11 November).
Opening Times and Admission
Opening times for the Arc de Triomphe are between April-September (10am-11pm) and October-March (10am-10.30pm). Admission costs €8 and includes access to the viewing terrace and museum.
Getting to the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is located at the end of the Champs d'Élysées. It straddles several of Paris' central arrondissements on the right bank of the River Seine and is located along the 'historic axis' running from the Louvre to the Grande Arche de la Défense.
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