Arc de Triomphe

Parisians refer to the Arc de Triomphe as L’Etoile, and revere it as a symbol of French national spirit. Located in the center of the worlds largest roundabout, the Arc de Triomphe towers 164 feet above the ground. Intricate carvings by Romantic sculpture Francois Rude adorn the exterior of the edifice, while beneath the L’Etoile lies the unknown solider. Visitors may climb 284 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for an outstanding view of Pairs, and the 12 streets radiating from the roundabout. There’s also a museum inside, detailing the history of Arc de Triomphe. Of all the monuments of Paris, L’Etoile is one of the most revered by Parisians themselves, and an important stop on a sightseeing tour.

The history of Arc de Triomphe is varied, and marred by the German occupation of Paris, which celebrated by marching through the arch. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor the French military, the Arc de Triomphe is now a patriotic symbol of France’s history. It was finally completed in 1836, 15 years after Napoleon’s death. In 1920 an unknown solider was buried beneath the arc, to honor the soldiers who fought for France. The Arc de Triomphe has served as a symbol of victory for France, as well as for the Germans and the Allies, both of which have marched through the arch after victories as they enter Paris.