The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile remains one of the most renowned monuments in Paris. Take a lift to the top and climb 46 stairs and you will see an astounding view of the City of Light. There may have been several modifications but the Arc still represents honour and unified power.
The Arc which stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, marks and honours those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.
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The giant monument which stands at 50 metres in height, 45 metres in width and 22 metres in depth, was originally designed by Jean Chalgrin. The design is a neoclassical version of typical ancient Roman architecture, particularly inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus.
It was originally commissioned by Emperor Napoleon at the height of his fortunes in 1806 following the victory at Austerlitz. He wanted the Arc to have a patriotic and triumphant message. Construction took quite some time, and the laying of the foundation alone took two years.
Due to deaths, power struggles and radical, political changes, the work could not be completed by Jean Chalgrin who died in 1811. Jean-Nicolas Huyot took over but once again work was stopped and the Arc would not be finished until the reign of King Louis-Philippe between 1833 and 1836.
The walls of the Arc are intricate and detailed. You can find the find-sculpted frieze of soldiers and thirty shields engraved with the names of the major Revolutionary and Napoleonic victories. The walls are lined with the names of 660 people. The names of those who died in battle are underlined.
Under the Arc, beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Not much is known about the anonymous soldier but a ceremony is held every year on November 11th. It marks the anniversary of the armistice signed between Germany and France in 1918.
It was originally decided that the remains of the Unknown Soldier would be buried in the Panthéon. A campaign by the people led to the decision to bury him underneath the Arc where he remains today. The slab on top carries the following inscription: “Here lies a French soldier who died for the fatherland 1914–1918.”
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Journalist Gabriel Boissy came up with the idea of a Memorial Flame and the public caught on quickly. On November 11th 1923, a flame was lit for the first time and since that moment, the flame has never been extinguished. The eternal memorial flame burns in memory of the dead who were never identified.
The Arc de Triomphe was popular for rallying and parading after military victories, deaths and the annual Bastille Day Military Parade. On December 15th 1840, Emperor Napoleon’s remains passed under the Arc on the way to his final resting place.
More than two million people joined the funeral procession of Victor Hugo, the famous author of Les Misérables, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Panthéon on May 22nd 1885.
Other famous marches have included the French in 1919, the Germans in 1940 and the French and Allies in 1944 and 1945.
From 1882 to 1886, there was a monumental sculpture called the ‘Triumph of the Revolution’ on top of the Arc. The sculpture was that of a chariot drawn by horses, ready to ‘crush Anarchy and Despotism.’ Unfortunately, it fell in ruins after only four years.
During the 1960s the monument had to be thoroughly cleaned with bleach due to its blackening from coal and soot. Today, it still retains its grandeur and rich history. In the attic of the Arc lies a small museum. There you can learn its stories from the time of its construction.
Paige has over two years’ experience in the travel industry and teaching and has worked for several organisations. She is now working for Hotel de Vigny and is spending more time in the field of luxury travel in Europe.