Sightseeing Paris

The Arch of Triumph: a Napoleonic Monument

This huge arch was built in honour of the victories of Napoleon's armies, standing majestic and imposing, in the Place Charles-de-Gaulle (commonly known as the Place de l'Etoile). Napoleon ordered its construction on the 18th April 1806, but did not live to see it completed. This honour fell to King Louis-Philippe, who inaugurated the monument in 1836. Napoleon's ashes would be placed there four years later, before being transferred to Les Invalides.

The Arch of Triumph has also been the site of several historic events. Victor Hugo, was given a national funeral there and once described it as "a piece of stone on a heap of glory" ("un morceau de pierre sur un monceau de gloire").

The eternal flame and the tomb of the unknown soldier have stood under the arch since November 11, 1920, in commemoration of those who died in the two World Wars. Général-de-Gaulle came to pay his respects at the tomb the day before the Liberation and the triumphant parade down Avenue Champs-Elysées.
The monument has also witnessed some comic events: from the individual who one day decided to fry some eggs over the eternal flame, to the aviator Charles Godeffroy, who flew his plane under the arch in 1919. From the top of its 49 metre height there is a magnificent panoramic view of Paris, including the Louvre to the east and La Défense to the west. A small museum is housed inside the arch as well.

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See also: Sir Winston - Avenue des Champs-Elysées - Musée de l'Arc de Triomphe

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