Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile is one of the best-known landmarks in Paris, standing at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, the western end of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. This monumental structure was built between 1806 and 1836 to honor the glory of the imperial armies. It is part of the city's historic axis, from which twelve avenues radiate like the points of a star. Today the monument is managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux and is a focal point for state ceremonies, with solemn processions often beginning or ending here. Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War I, where the Eternal Flame is tended daily. This tribute to the unidentified fallen reaches its high point in the annual parade on November 11, the anniversary of the 1918 armistice.

The history of the Arc de Triomphe is closely tied to Napoleon I, who commissioned it after the Battle of Austerlitz to glorify his victories. After the death of the original architect, Jean-François Chalgrin, and Napoleon's abdication, work stalled for some time before resuming under Louis XVIII and later under King Louis-Philippe I. The latter decided to return to the Napoleonic design and commissioned various artists to create the sculptural decoration. The arch was finally completed in 1836. A tragic event marked its inauguration, when an assassin narrowly missed the king, who then canceled the planned military parade. Over the decades, the arch also became the setting for daring feats of aviation, as pilots attempted to fly through its opening, as well as a symbol of solidarity, for instance when the words "Paris est Charlie" were projected onto its facade in 2015.

Architecturally, the arch draws on the tradition of ancient Rome and, at a height of nearly 50 meters (about 164 feet), is an impressive structure. The inner walls house a small museum and bear the names of more than six hundred military officers as well as 158 victorious battles, including Napoleon's most important engagements. The large reliefs at the base of the arch are especially famous. The best known is "La Marseillaise" by François Rude on the east facade, which depicts the departure of the volunteers in 1792. This work is regarded as a milestone in sculpture's turn toward Romanticism and, with its heroic energy, surpasses the more classical depictions on the other sides, such as the "Triumph of 1810" by Jean-Pierre Cortot. Further reliefs by Antoine Étex and other artists adorn the facade and depict important historical moments.

Visitors can climb a staircase or take an elevator to an observation platform, which offers sweeping views over Paris and the star-shaped network of streets. Pedestrians can reach the monument only via an underpass, since the arch stands in the middle of a traffic circle. The structure is not just a historic monument but also a place of living culture. In 2021, for example, it was temporarily wrapped in fabric as part of a major art project by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, a project that had been planned since the 1960s and cast the monument in a new light. The Arc de Triomphe has also inspired numerous similar structures around the world, including ones in Bucharest and Pyongyang, and remains an unmistakable symbol of French history and identity.