The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate his victories in battle. Napoleon saw himself as the emperor of a new and even greater Roman empire, and so it is no surprise to discover that its designer Jean Chalgrin, was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus.
Work on the Arc de Triomphe began in 1806 and was not completed until 1836. The arch stands at 49m high and 44m wide. It is decorated with relief sculptures - one of which shows Napoleon dressed in a Roman Toga, with the citizens of Paris kneeling at his feet. There are 30 shields along the top of the arch, each commemorates one of Napoleon's triumphant battles.
Nazi troops goose-stepped their way through the Arc de Triomphe in 1940, and for four years the Nazi Swastika hung below the arch. Happier times soon followed when Charles de Gaulle marched under the arch when Paris was liberated.
Underneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to all French soldiers who have fallen in battle. On the tomb burns an eternal flame in commemeration of all the fallen.
From the viewing platform at the top of the arch there are excellent views of the Champs-Elysées, the Sacré-Coeur and La Defense. The platform can be reached by an elevator and climbing the final 46 steps, or on foot by climbing all 284 step.
AVENUE DES CHAMPS -ELYSEES
Champs-Élysées is considered the greatest boulevard in Paris (Many Parisians would say the world).
The Avenue is 1.25 miles in length. At its west stands the Arc de Triomphe - and here the street is lined with shops, cafe's and cinemas. At its east lies the Place de la Concorde - and here the street is bordered by ornate gardens with decoative fountains.
Bastille day (14th July) is celebrated here with military parades along the Avenue. The Tour de France finishes here, and its the award ceremony is held here. And it is here that Parisians gather to celebrate New Year's Eve and to mark special events, such as when France won the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Champs-Élysées began life in 1616 when Marie de Medici (Wife of Henry IV) commissioned a tree lined walkway to extend from the Tuileries Gardens - to the East of Avenue des Champs-Élysées. André Le Nôtre (The favorite landscape architecter of King Louis XIV) extended the walkway in 1667 turning it into a fashionable district. It was further extended in 1724 to its present length. The Avenue only became city property in 1828.
Entrance price for Arc de Triomphe
Adult: 9 Euros
Children under 18: Free
Arc de Triomphe Opening Times
1 Apr to 30 Sep: 10am - 11pm
1 Oct to 31 Mar: 10am - 10:30pm
Address
Arc de Triomphe
Place Charles-de-Gaulle
75008 Paris
How to Get to Arc de Triomphe
Metro: Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile on lines 1, 2 and 6.
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