Located on the Place de l’Étoile, at the top of l’avenue des Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe is the world’s largest arch. It was commissioned by Napoléon and built in 1806 to celebrate the emperor’s victory at Austerlitz. The Chalgrin, Joust and Blouet architects made the monument. But the sculptures were made by Cortot, Rude, Etex, Pradier and Lemaire. Below the arch there is a tomb of the Unknown Soldier, whose flame is rekindled every evening at 06:30 pm. From the top of the monument, the visitor can enjoy the panoramic view of Paris in day and at night. Inside the building is a museum that tells the story of the Arc de Triomphe, which is a good way to complete your visit.
The arch was commissioned by Napoleon as a tribute to the French army. The original architect was Chalgrin; after his death, the work was continued by Joust (or Goust) from 1811-14 until it stopped after the defeat of Napoleon. In 1833 work was begun again. The name of Blouet, who had the honor of completing the monument, is engraved on it. The inscription (translated) reads:- ‘This monument which was begun in 1806 to honour the great army, was left unfinished for many years, was continued in 1823 with a new purpose, and was completed in 1836 in the reign of King Louis-Philippe I who dedicated it to the glory of France’s armed forces. G. A. Blouet, architect (Dillange 7)’. Completed under the new king Louis-Philippe and his minister of the interior, Adolphe Thiers, the arch was a way of illustrating the new government’s efforts at national unity and reconciliation.
The presence of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument gave it a more peaceful character. During the French national holiday every year on July 14th, the people of Paris comes to admire their armies. You can also visit it during your France holiday and have the feeling of patriotism, you can reach there by public transport or you can book a car. But you can not pass through the arch because of the penalty of treading grave.
The four inner sides of the arch are engraved with 174 names of battles and 700 names of French military heroes.
The triumphal arch is the largest collection of French sculptures of the 19th century. Four well-known groups based at the foot of the rainbow: The Departure of the Volunteers called Marseille Rude, Resistance and Peace in 1814 by Etex, Triumph of 1810 by Cortot. But the frieze with the length of 137 meters which surround the monument with figures of two meters high which is very less well known is the Departure and the Return of the French Army.
