Arc de triomphe paris

The Arc de Triomphe, one of Paris's most iconic monuments, was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 to honor French military victories.

About this subject

The Arc de Triomphe, located at the Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, is one of Paris's most recognized monuments. Its construction was ordered by Napoleon Bonaparte after the victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, but it was only completed in 1836 under King Louis-Philippe I, long after Napoleon's fall. Architect Jean Chalgrin designed the neoclassical structure, inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome. The monument stands 49.5 meters high, 45 meters wide, and 22 meters deep.

The facades are adorned with significant sculptures, including "The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792," known as "La Marseillaise," by François Rude. Four main sculptural groups and numerous reliefs depict scenes from the Napoleonic wars. Inside the arch, the names of 558 French generals and 128 victorious battles are engraved. The Arc also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, added in 1921, beneath which an eternal flame burns in memory of the dead of World War I, rekindled every evening at 6:30 PM.

The Arc de Triomphe is the centerpiece of an important historical axis linking the Place de la Concorde obelisk to the Grande Arche de la Défense. Every year on Bastille Day (July 14), a military parade begins at the Arc and proceeds toward the Concorde. A notable curiosity: in 1919, pilot Charles Godefroy flew his plane through the arch's opening to honor World War I pilots. It is the second largest triumphal arch in the world, after the Arch of Triumph in North Korea, and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Paris.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who ordered the construction of the Arc de Triomphe?

The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 after the victory at the Battle of Austerlitz to honor the French army's achievements.

How tall is the Arc de Triomphe?

The monument is 49.5 meters high, 45 meters wide, and 22 meters deep, making it one of the largest triumphal arches in the world.

What does the eternal flame at the Arc de Triomphe represent?

The eternal flame was lit in 1923 over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to commemorate soldiers killed in World War I, and it is rekindled every evening at 6:30 PM.