Arc de Triomphe
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The best day to visit the world’s most familiar triumphal arch is 2 December, the date that marks Napoleon’s victory at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, when the sun sets in line with the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, creating a spectacular halo around the building. Work began on the 50-m (164-ft) arch in 1806 but was not completed until 1836, due, in part, to Napoleon’s fall from power. Four years later, Napoleon’s funeral procession passed beneath it, on its way to his burial in Les Invalides (see Hôtel des Invalides). Today the arch is a focal point for rallies and public events.
More on historic buildings in Paris
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1. Viewing Platform
Taking the elevator or climbing the 284 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe gives visitors a sublime and unique view of Paris. To the east is the Champs-Elysées (see Avenue des Champs-Elysées), one of the world’s most famous avenues, and to the west, slightly out of line, is the Grande Arche of La Défense.
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2. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
2. Tomb of the Unknown SoldierIn the centre of the arch flickers the eternal flame on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a victim of World War I buried on 11 November 1920. It is symbolically re-ignited every day at 6:30pm.
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3. Museum
Within the arch is a small but interesting museum which tells the history of its construction and gives details of various celebrations and funerals that the arch has seen over the years. The more recent of these are shown in a short video.
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4. Departure of the Volunteers in 1792
One of the most striking sculptures is on the front right base. It shows French citizens going to defend their nation against Austria and Prussia.
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5. Frieze
A frieze running around the arch shows French troops departing for battle (east) and their victorious return (west).
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6. Triumph of Napoleon
As you look at the arch from the Champs-Elysées, the relief on the left base shows the Triumph of Napoleon . This celebrates the Treaty of Vienna peace agreement signed in 1810, when Napoleon’s empire was in its heyday.
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7. Battle of Austerlitz
Another battle victory is shown on a frieze on the arch’s northern side. It depicts Napoleon’s heavily outnumbered troops breaking the ice on Lake Satschan in Austria, a tactic which drowned thousands of enemy troops and helped France to victory.
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8. Battle of Aboukir
Above the Triumph of Napoleon carving is this scene showing Napoleonic victory over the Turks in 1799. The same victory was commemorated on canvas in 1806 by the French painter Antoine Gros and is now on display at the palace of Versailles.
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9. General Marceau’s Funeral
Marceau died in battle against the Austrian army in 1796, after a famous victory against them only the previous year. His funeral is depicted in this frieze, located above the Departure of the Volunteers in 1792 sculpture.
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10. Thirty Shields
Immediately below the top of the arch runs a row of 30 shields, each carrying the name of a Napoleonic victory.
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A great way to see the sights of this wonderful City is to catch an open-top Red Double Decker bus. There`s nine stops in total on the full tour and you can hop on / off at any of them. Multi lingual narration through headphones too (There`s a stop just outside the Arc at the top of the Champs Elysees) For about 9 euros, you get to see all the monuments and I`d recommend it highly.
about 9 months ago
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