The Arc of Triumph (in French, “Arc de Triomphe”) is a monument in Paris that stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the Place de l'Étoile (Star Square). Read on to find out more about the history of this famous landmark.
Situated at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, this arch was created in honor of those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars, and today also includes the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The arch is also the crux of the “historic axis” (L'Axe historique), a series of monuments and grand thoroughfares on a route which goes from the courtyard of the Louvre Palace to the outskirts of Paris. Various beautiful, available apartments in Paris overlook this historical stretch. The monument stands over 165 ft (51 meters) high and is 45 meters wide. The second largest triumphal arch in existence, it was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. In fact, the Arc of Triumph is so colossal that three weeks after Paris’ victory parade in 1919, marking the end of hostilities in World War I, Charles Godefroy flew his Nieuport biplane through it (perhaps to the consternation of some). You may find yourself marveling at its size as you visit from your vacation rental Paris.
Commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napoleon I, The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. As with many of Paris’ great monuments, its creation alone had a monumental aspect. Laying the foundations alone took two years, and in 1810 when Napoleon entered Paris from the west with his bride Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, he had a wooden mock-up of the completed arch constructed. Although the architect Jean Chalgrin died in 1811, the work was continued by Huyon. During the Restoration, construction was halted and would not be completed until the reign of King Louis-Philippe in the mid-19th century.
Major academic sculptors of France are represented in the sculpture of the Arc de Triomphe: Cortot, Rude, Étex, Pradier and Lemaire. Above the richly sculptured frieze of soldiers are thirty shields engraved with the names of major Revolutionary and Napoleonic military victories. The inside walls of the monument list the names of 558 French generals. The names of those who died in battle are underlined. Also inscribed, on the shorter sides of the four supporting columns, are the names of the major battles of the Napoleonic wars. As an interesting historical aside, the battles which took place in the period between the departure of Napoleon from Elba and his final defeat at Waterloo are not included in the Arch of Triumph.
The Arc sits in the Place de l'Étoile, which was extensively redesigned by Baron Haussmann, who increased the number of avenues radiating from this star to twelve. In the 1860s he ran a circular road around the outside of the houses fronting the Étoile, a move meant to free the Place itself from the crush of carriages. Although the circular road complements the Arc's monumental presence, unfortunately it did not solve the traffic problem. At any rate, you may find it more fun to travel by foot. When you rent a Paris apartment rental Etoile, you’ll be close enough to see it all at an easy, relaxed pace.
Beneath the Arc de Triomphe is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War. Interred here on Armistice Day 1920, it has the first eternal flame lit in Western Europe. It burns in memory of the dead who were never identified, now in both World Wars. The idea was taken from the United Kingdom's tomb of The Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. Each November 11, on the anniversary of the armistice signed between France and Germany in 1918, a ceremony is held here. The slab on top carries the inscription, in French: "Here lies a French soldier who died for his fatherland 1914–1918". Be sure to see it from your Paris apartment rental Arc de Triomphe.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, accompanied by Charles de Gaulle. After the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas, Mrs. Kennedy requested that an eternal flame be placed next to her husband's grave at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. You may wish to pass by from one of many apartments rental paris. President de Gaulle went to Washington to attend the state funeral, and was able to witness Jacqueline Kennedy lighting the eternal flame inspired by France.
The Arc of Triumph is of course also a landmark during the Tour de France. The race itself finishes nearby on the Champs-Élysées.
