Arc de Triomphe
The most illustrious symbol of French history
Posted Wednesday, March 22, 2006
After winning the battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon decided to build a monument that would celebrate his future victories and his brave soldiers. Thus, the project of the Arc de Triomphe was born and architect Jean Chalgrin was responsible for designing the beautiful monument. The cosntruction began in 1806 but Napoleon didn't live to see it in its full grandeur as he died before the arch was completed (in 1836).
The arch is 165 feet high, 147 feet wide and sits at the end of Champs Elysées, surrounded by 12 radiant avenues that converge in a star shape configuration. Great French sculptors worked on the relief sculptures situated at the base of the Arc's pillars: The Triumph of 1810 (Jean-Pierre Cortot), Resistance (Antoine Etex), Peace (Antoine Etex) and The Departure of the Volunteers (François Rude), well known by the name of La Marseillaise. The names of Napoleon's generals and of major victories are engraved on the stone facades.
The Arc de Triomphe can be reached by an underground walkway from the north side of the Champs Elysées and for 8 euros (children - 5 euros) you can climb the 234 steps to the roof of the Arc to enjoy a fantastic view of Paris (better even than from the Eiffel Tower). From up there you can see the Champs Elysées, Place de la Concorde or the Tuileries Gardens.
The Arc is open every day from 10am to 10:30 or 11pm except for French public holidays.
Place Charles-de-Gaulle, 75008 Paris
Tel: 33 / (0)1 55 37 73 77
Fax: 33 / (0)1 44 95 02 13
Email: bernard.jeannot@monum.fr
http://www.monum.fr
