Arc de Triomphe Paris : Paris Tourism

Place Charles de Gaulle 75008 Paris The « Arc de Triomphe » is located at the border of the eighth, sixteenth and seventeenth districts in the centre of the “Place Charles de Gaulle”. Ordered by Napoleon in 1806 in order to commemorate the victories of the ”Great Army”, the building was not completed until 1836, after the death of the general, on the demand of King Louis-Phillipe. The names of the generals who guided the troops of Napoleon are sculpted in the walls of the monument. The Arc was created by Jean Chalgrin. Its sculptures depict the victories of the Aboukir battle, the battle against the Turcs, the Austerlitz battle… as well as some allegories such as “la Marseillaise”, “la Paix”. The Arc holds the tomb of the unknown soldier, symbol of all soldiers killed during the First World War. This monument became the image of patriotic memory, as the unknown soldier is celebrated every year on the eleventh of November. Twelve streets begin from the Arc and form the shape of a star. One can admire a beautiful view from the top of the monument.