A monument erected in honor of the victories of the Grand French Army in the 8th arrondissement of Paris on Place Charles de Gaulle (Stars). It is located at the top of the Champs-Élysées, on the hill of Chaillot.
After the Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon ordered the construction of a triumphal arch in honor of the military victories won by France during the Revolution and during the First Empire. The emperor laid the first stone of the foundation on his birthday - August 15, 1806. It took two whole years to build the foundation.
Around the arch was created Star Square, and it was then located outside the city, closely adjacent to the city outpost of Chaillot.
The author of the project was the architect J.-F. Chalgrin (1730–1811), inspired by examples of similar monuments Ancient Rome. Triumphal arches in Rome were erected in memory of a significant event, in honor of a famous person or deity. But the dimensions of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris far exceed those of the ancient world. Its height is 50 m, width 45 m, the arch has one span, the dimensions of which are 14.2–29 m.
It took 30 years to complete the construction of the monument. Neither Napoleon nor Chalgrin himself saw it in its finished form, during which the height of the arch reached only 5 m.
The collapse of Napoleon in 1815 suspended work on the construction of the Arc de Triomphe. The construction of the arch began again under Louis Philippe (1773–1850) and was completed in 1836. However, the original idea (to dedicate the arch only to Napoleon’s victories) was abandoned, deciding that it was necessary to glorify the army not only of the Empire, but also of the Republic.
In 1840, Louis Philippe, under pressure from the Bonapartists, transported Napoleon's ashes to France from St. Helena. The funeral cortege solemnly passed under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe. Currently, the body of Napoleon Bonaparte rests in the Parisian Invalides.
Construction was completed under the direction of architect Abel Blouet. The arch is richly decorated with sculpted high reliefs. The most interesting is the right high relief on the eastern side (facing the Champs Elysees) - “Volunteers marching on a campaign. 1792" by François Rude.
On the walls of the arch are engraved the names of 128 battles in the history of France, won by the Republican and imperial army, as well as the names of 558 French military leaders. The arch is surrounded by 100 granite pedestals (in honor of the “hundred days” of Napoleon’s reign), interconnected by cast iron chains.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier appeared in the main span of the arch in 1921. A soldier who died in the First World War is buried here. world war. He was chosen at Verdun from thousands of others.
The monument became the venue for the most solemn ceremonies. The coffin with the body of Emperor Napoleon from the island of St. Helena, with a large crowd of people on December 15, 1840, was carried under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe to the place of eternal rest in the Cathedral of the Invalides. Here, for one night on May 30, 1885, the coffin containing the body of Victor Hugo was displayed. After their death, Thiers, Gambetta, Carnot, MacMahon, Generals Foch and Joffre, General Philippe Leclerc, Marshal Lattre de Tassigny were honored with a solemn funeral ceremony with a stop under the arches. At the arch, jubilant Parisians welcomed General de Gaulle, who returned from London, in August 1944.
Every year on July 14, a military parade takes place here with the laying of wreaths at the Eternal Flame. The parade is attended by the President of France and veterans, who, unfortunately, are becoming fewer and fewer every year.
In 1854, the round Star Square received its modern “star-shaped” appearance, thanks to 12 streets that radiated from it. In 1969 the square was renamed and now bears the name of Charles de Gaulle.
Standing on the natural elevation of Place de l'Etre, the majestic and powerful Arc de Triomphe dominates Paris.
It is considered a symbol of the city, along with the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. The monument is a permanent place of pilgrimage for a huge number of tourists.
Inside the monument there is a museum of the same name, and at the top Observation deck with stunning views of Paris
A visit to the Arc de Triomphe includes climbing 284 steps to the observation deck and exploring the museum rooms. In the halls of the museum, architectural and sculptural examples are exhibited, as well as exhibits telling about the history of the creation of the arch. Using a special mechanism, here you can examine in more detail the sculptural compositions located above the arch supports.
The Arc de Triomphe is open daily April-September from 10.00 to 23.00; October - March from 10.00 to 22.30. The exceptions are January 1, May 1, morning of May 8, morning of July 14, morning of November 11, December 25.
Tariff: adults - 9 €, children under 18 years old accompanied by adults - free.
The Arc de Triomphe is a famous triumphal arch located on Place Charles de Gaulle (the square's former name was Place de la Star). Triumphal Arch located at the top of the Champs Elysees, on the hill of Chaillot. During construction, it was located outside the city limits, and the round Square of the Star (120 m in diameter) was adjacent to the city outpost of Chaillot. In 1854, the square received its modern “star-shaped” appearance, thanks to 12 streets that radiated from the square.
In 1969 the square was renamed and now bears the name of Charles de Gaulle.
Since the reign of Louis XIV, a straight road connected the two royal residences- Parisian Louvre Palace and Versailles Palace. The name of this road - “Triumphal Way” - is not outdated today: three arches stand here on one axis - the Carrousel near the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe on the Place de l'Etoile and the Grand Arch, built in our era in the ultra-modern La Défense quarter.
Here in 1806, immediately after the Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon ordered the construction of a triumphal arch on the Parisian Chaillot hill in honor of the military victories won by France during the Revolution and during the First Empire. It took 2 whole years to build the foundation. In 1810, when the newly-crowned Empress Marie-Louise was supposed to solemnly enter the capital along the Champs Elysees, a “scenery” for the future arch was hastily made from boards and harsh canvas on a stone foundation. Napoleon did not live to see the completion of the Arc de Triomphe: it was completed only in 1836, during the reign of Louis Philippe.
The author of the project was the architect J.-F. Chalgrin, inspired by the examples of triumphal arches of Ancient Rome, which were erected in memory of a significant event, in honor of a famous person, deity. But the scale of the Parisian arch far exceeds the examples of the ancient world. The height of the triumphal arch is 50 m, width 45 m, the arch has one span, the dimensions of which are 14.2-29 m.
The grandiose five-meter frieze is decorated with relief images of the beginning of the campaign of the French army (eastern facade) and its return (western).
Thirty attic shields (upper tier), with the names of great battles engraved on them, recall victories in Europe and Africa. The pylons of the arch are decorated with bas-reliefs, the height of which is 12 m. The bas-reliefs of the Marseillaise by F. Rud and the Apotheosis of Napoleon Cortot are facing the Champs Elysees, Resistance to Invasion and the Apotheosis of the World of Etex are on the Avenue de la Grande Armée.
The most famous bas-relief Parisian Arc de Triomphe is the bas-relief of F. Ryud's Marseillaise or Performance of the Volunteers on the Campaign. This is a dynamic and full of expression composition, which shows warriors, seized by a single impulse, setting out on a campaign. Their movement is led by the figure of a winged goddess - this is an allegory of freedom, homeland, victory, revolution and the folk song of the Marseillaise.
The names of Napoleonic officers are written under the arches of the small arches. Under the arch since 1920 there is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, above which there is a fire Eternal flame in honor of the warrior heroes who died in the First World War.
Inside the arch there is a museum of the history of the Arc de Triomphe. There is an observation deck on the roof, which offers a magnificent view of the city.
The Arc de Triomphe, founded by Napoleon, never saw his triumph. But on December 15, 1840, a funeral cortege with Napoleon’s ashes, delivered from the island of St., passed under the arch. Elena. And in 1885 - a funeral procession with the ashes of V. Hugo. Later, after their death, Thiers, Gambetta, Lazare Carnot, MacMahon, Generals Foch and Joffre, General Philippe Leclerc, Marshal Lattre de Tassigny were honored with a solemn funeral ceremony with a stop under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe. On January 28, 1921, the remains of the Unknown Soldier, who died during the First World War, were buried under the arch.
Basic moments
The size of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is impressive and emphasizes its grandeur. The architectural structure rises to 49.5 m, has a width of 44.8 m and a vault height of over 29 meters. Although more than 180 years have passed since its construction, the arch in the French capital remains the largest of all the Arc de Triomphe in the world.
The famous monument stands in the historical center of the city, on the square named after Charles de Gaulle. From this place, 12 avenues are laid in different directions, the most famous of them is called “Champs Elysees”. The Arc de Triomphe is visible from all sides and is visited by many French and foreign tourists all year round. The area around the monument can be considered a real place of pilgrimage, since the routes of almost all excursions in Paris pass by it.
The “Triumphal Way” leads through the Arc de Triomphe, which is also called the “Royal Prospect”. This is a series of buildings and historical monuments stretched along one axis. It starts from the Louvre, continues through the Tuileries Gardens to the Place de la Concorde, and then along the Champs Elysees leads to the arch. The Triumphal Path does not end here. It extends even further from the city center - across the Boulevard Grande Armée to the Grande Arche de la Défense. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris lies in the middle of the “Royal Prospect”, and therefore from it you can clearly see both the buildings of the historical center of the city and the ultra-modern high-rise buildings of La Défense.
Construction of the Arc de Triomphe
In 1805, the army led by Napoleon won the “Battle of the Three Emperors” near Austerlitz. The Emperor really wanted to perpetuate the triumph of his soldiers, and ordered the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in the center of Paris.
Architects have prepared several designs for the monument. According to one of them, they planned to make the monument in the form of a huge elephant, in which a museum would be built telling about the victories of the French troops. However, the emperor's attention was attracted by the project of Jean-François Chalgrin, the court architect of Napoleon I, who chose the famous single-span Arch of Titus in Rome as the prototype for the Parisian monument.
The ancient monument appeared during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, in 81 AD. The Arch of Titus stood on the ancient Via Sacred, on the southeast side of the Roman Forum. The laconic, beautiful monument served as the prototype for many Arc de Triomphe built in modern times.
Like the Roman arch, the monument in the French capital was planned to have one expressive span and powerful supports. At the behest of Napoleon, Chalgrin designed a French arch three times the size of the ancient Arch of Titus. The following year, work began on the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. And five years later, the elderly author of the monument died. This happened at a time when the arch was not completed in height by only 5 meters.
The construction of the Arc de Triomphe lasted for three decades due to a series of military defeats in France. In 1806-1807, a foundation was installed under the massive monument. In 1810, the emperor's bride, Maria Louise of Austria, came to the capital of France. In honor of her visit, the wooden scaffolding of the monument under construction was decorated with a stark canvas depicting the finished arch. So Napoleon was able to see his dream in the form of a large life-size model. The architect Abel Blouet had the opportunity to complete the construction work. In 1836, when the Arc de Triomphe was finally built, the emperor who conceived it was no longer alive.
Historical events near the arch
In 1840, the ruler of France, Louis Philippe I, to please the Bonapartists, transported the ashes of Emperor Napoleon to his homeland from the place where he spent last years life. The remains were taken from the remote island of St. Helens, placed on a pompously decorated funeral cortege and carried with honors under the arches of the majestic Arc de Triomphe. Today, Napoleon's ashes are located in the building of the Invalides (Rue de Babylone, 70).
Since then, solemn funerals through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris have become state tradition. Under the famous monument passed the funeral corteges of the famous writer Victor Hugo, politicians Louis Adolphe Thiers, Lazare-Hippolyte Carnot, Patrice de MacMahon and Leon Michel Gambetta, army generals Ferdinand Foch, Joseph Joffre and Philippe Leclerc, as well as Marshal Jean de Lattre de Tassigny .
In 1921, the remains of the Unknown Soldier, who gave his life during recent war. And two years later, the Eternal Flame was installed here as a symbol of memory of all the inhabitants of France who did not return from the fields of the First World War.
Sculptural design
The solemnity of the Arc de Triomphe is determined not only by its large size, but also by its carefully executed decor - ornaments, bas-reliefs and sculptures. Two sculptural compositions face the city center (Champs Elysees). On the right is a dynamic work by the French master François Rude. It is dedicated to the performance of volunteers against the Prussian army, which entered Lorraine in 1792, and is called “Marseillaise”. On the left side, the arch is decorated with a sculptural group made by Jean-Pierre Cortot. It is called "Triumph of 1815". In the central part of this composition, the sculptor depicted the figure of Napoleon himself.
On the side of Defense (Avenue de la Grande-Armée) there are two sculptures, the author of which is the famous French artist Antoine Etex. On the left you can see the "Peace of 1815", depicting the events of the Congress of Vienna. And on the right is a composition dedicated to the events of the French resistance in 1814.
Above the four sculptures, as well as on the sides of the Arc de Triomphe, there are 6 bas-reliefs with scenes of victories won by the French. On the side of Wagram Avenue there is an image of the battle near Austerlitz (1805), where the figures of Russian soldiers are visible. This bas-relief was created by Jean-François Théodore Gescher. And on the opposite side there is a work by Carlo Marochetti. The bas-relief commemorates the battle near the town of Jemappe in Belgium, which took place between the French and Austrians in 1792.
From the side of the city center you can see a bas-relief by Bernard Gabriel Serres or Serres the Elder, in which the military leader Ottoman Empire Said Mustafa Pasha is presented to Emperor Napoleon. These events occurred after the French victory at the Battle of Cape Abukir in Egypt (1799). And next to it is a bas-relief with a scene of the funeral of the French general Marceau, which happened in 1796.
From the side of the monument facing the modern La Défense quarter, bas-reliefs are visible that immortalize two famous battles: the battle of Arcola in Italy (1796) and the battle for the Egyptian Kanob, which took place two years later.
In addition, the names of 128 battles in which the French army was victorious, as well as the names of 660 military leaders, are written on the pillars of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The names of those who died in battle have been crossed out. The monument is surrounded by massive granite pedestals, which are connected by heavy cast iron chains. They commemorate the hundred days when Napoleon reigned.
Arc de Triomphe today
Every year on July 14, a magnificent military parade ceremony is held near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Parisians and city guests lay wreaths and fresh flowers at the grave and Memorial Flame. The president of the country and the remaining veterans take part in the celebration.
Inside the Parisian landmark there is a museum of the same name, where you can learn about the history of its construction and the events that took place near the Arc de Triomphe. And at the top of the monument there is an observation deck, which is very popular among tourists. The attention that this vantage point on Chaillot Hill attracts is not accidental. From here you have excellent views of the central part of the city and its suburbs. Having been to the top of the famous arch, you can understand why the path leading through it is called “Triumphal”.
For tourists, entrance to the observation deck and the museum exhibition is open seven days a week: from October to March from 10.00 to 22.30, and in other months - until 23.00.
How to get there
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris rises on Place Charles de Gaulle. You can get to the monument from the Paris metro station Charles de Gaulle Etoile. In addition, many city bus routes run to the square.
What is the Parisian Arc de Triomphe famous for: 10 interesting facts, which you need to know. How to get to the panoramic platform overlooking La Défense.
In July 1836, three decades after Napoleon himself approved the project, Paris celebrated the opening of the massive Arc de Triomphe. The monumental structure was erected on Place Charles de Gaulle (formerly Etoile) and crowns the legendary Champs Elysees. Through the place where the Arc de Triomphe stands today, there was a direct road from the Louvre to. True, strictly at this point it was necessary to turn left - onto Avenue Foch or Avenue Victor Hugo.
The road, called the “Triumphal Way” in those days, still exists today. It connects three iconic points: the Arch of Carrousel near, the Arc de Triomphe on Place de l'Etoile and the ultra-modern Grand Arch in La Défense. To admire the architectural miracle of the 20th century, guests of Paris go up to the panoramic platform. The Defense Quarter from there is at your fingertips! But the secrets “hidden” in the history of this architectural monument are not limited to this. We've collected 10 little-known facts about the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Excursions in Paris in Russian
The most interesting excursions are routes from local residents on Tripster. The most interesting thing to start with is (orient yourself to the area and outline routes for future walks). After which you won’t regret a whole day (the guide will offer a choice of the castle of Josephine Bonaparte, Monte Cristo, the Marquise of Pompadour and many others).
Arc de Triomphe: 10 interesting facts
1. A giant elephant instead of an arch
Even before Napoleon, the French architect Charles Ribar proposed a three-level building in the shape of an elephant, which could be accessed by a spiral staircase leading into the elephant's entrails. Ribar was ready to begin construction, but the French government eventually rejected his project. Go figure it out.
2. Project in honor of the victory at Austerlitz
Arc de Triomphe on Place Charles de Gaulle
The arch project was approved by Napoleon Bonaparte after the victorious battle of Austerlitz in 1806. The construction of the Arch took 30 years. Which is not surprising: this was not an easy project. At the base of each of the four pillars of the Arch there are sculptural compositions commemorating the four victories. On the top of the structure, the main successes and achievements during the revolution and the reign of Bonaparte are indicated. Less important victories are marked on the interior walls, plus the names of 558 generals. Underlined names indicate that the general was killed in action.
3. Napoleon never saw the Arc de Triomphe
The arch was completed in 1836, when Napoleon Bonaparte had already been dead for 15 years. When the emperor married an Austrian princess, a wooden replica of the Arc de Triomphe was built for the couple so that the newlyweds could walk through it and enter as spouses. After the Emperor's abdication in 1814, construction stopped and only resumed in 1826. Almost 20 years after his death (in 1840), Napoleon finally walked through the completed arch as his body was carried to his final resting place.
4. Second largest arch in the world
The Arc de Triomphe of Paris is the second largest (height - 50 m, width - 45 m), and it was the largest in the world until 1982. It was then North Korea built her own Arc de Triomphe, larger and more impressive.
5. Charles Godefroy and his flight under the arch
After the end of World War I, pilot Charles Godfroy made a breathtaking flight under the arch in a Nieuport fighter to honor the memory of all the fallen pilots. These frames remained recorded on film.
6. An unknown soldier is buried under the arch
Eternal flame under the arch (Paris, France)
Like many countries, France also has the Tomb of the Nameless or Unknown Soldier. It has been located under the Arc de Triomphe since November 10, 1920. At the same time, the eternal flame appeared here as a symbol of memory of all the fallen.
7. The problem with the composition “La Marseillaise”
It is said that on the day that the Battle of Verdun began in 1916 (the main battle between Germany and the First World War), the sword of the figure representing the Republic fell off. The sculpture was immediately covered with a tarpaulin to prevent citizens from taking France's broken sword as a bad omen.
8. Arc de Triomphe - the site of assassination attempts on top officials
Charles de Gaulle was almost shot dead in the vicinity of the Arc de Triomphe during his presidency. However, being the first person in the state, he survived more than 30 assassination attempts, so he was unlikely to be too frightened. In 2002, Jacques Chirac was shot at in the same place, and the shooter missed this time too.
9. The Arch witnessed the defeats of France
Panoramic view of the avenues of Paris
Although the structure symbolizes the victories of France, in its lifetime it has also seen cruel defeats. In 1871, the Germans marched under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War. Seven decades later, the Nazis followed the same path during the Nazi occupation of the French capital.
10. “Washing” the arch is not an easy task
Thoroughly washing the Arc de Triomphe is an extremely labor-intensive process. The last “spring cleaning” took place in 2011 - for the first time in almost half a century.
Observation deck on the Arc de Triomphe
You can climb the Arc de Triomphe to admire the avenues radiating out from the Place de l'Etoile (meaning star in French). A magnificent view also opens onto the “skyscrapers” of the modern La Défense quarter.
Ticket price € 12, student ticket (from 18 to 25 years old) - € 9, group ticket (from 20 people in a group) - € 9. You can buy tickets at www.monuments-nationaux.fr. Official website of the Arc de Triomphe: www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr.
Opening hours: in winter (from October 1 to March 31) - from 10-00 to 22-30, in summer (from April 1 to September 30) - 10-00 to 23-00. The last visitors are allowed in 45-60 minutes before the observation deck closes, depending on how busy it is. With a large influx of tourists, the ticket office may close even earlier, and then there will be no opportunity to go upstairs. Closed days: January 1, May 1, May 8 (morning), July 14, November 11 (morning) and December 25.
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At the beginning of the 19th century, or more precisely, on August 15, 1806, during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, on Charles de Gaulle Square of great France, construction began on one of its largest attractions - the Arc de Triomphe, the author of which was Jean-François Chalgrin.
The composer was a patron of Roman art, which is why the Great Arch of Paris is similar to the Arch of Titus, with the same columns and arched span. Napoleon decided to erect this monument after his victory in the Battle of Austerlitz, as a symbol of the invincibility and power of France.
Construction continued for a long time, about 30 years, and ended in 1836 on July 29 during the reign of Louis Philippe. The reason for the long construction was the repeated defeats of the French army in battles and the change of rulers, each of whom saw this sculpture in their own way.
The monumental structure was built in a U-shaped style, with a height of 49.51 meters, a width of 44.82 meters, and a vault height of 29.19 meters, which ends with a 5-meter frieze and a built-on wall on its upper part.
There is also an observation deck here, which attracts tourists with a view that opens onto other, no less great architectures of this city.
It captivates with the opportunity to admire all the delights of Paris, to see the greatest Champs Elysees, the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre, the Montparnasse Tower, Place de la Concorde, Avenue de la Grande-Arme, the great arch of the La Défense quarter, rows of skyscrapers and other exhibits.
Inside the arch there is a small museum with its own history and a spiral staircase with 284 steps, where you can buy souvenirs and gifts along the way. The historical monument is surrounded by hundreds of granite pedestals, which represent the 100 days of Napoleon's second reign, bound with cast iron chains.
What is the triumph of this arch, and why is every tourist obliged to visit this place? Its triumph lies in the fact that it contains all the great campaigns and battles of the French army, the emotions of those wartime times.
Particular attention should be paid to the 12-meter sculptures located on the east and west sides - this is the sculpture by Ryud “Marseillaise or Performance of the Volunteers”, the sculpture by Cortot “Triumph 1810”, the sculpture by Etex “Resistance” and “Peace”.
The composition “Marseillaise” personifies the unity and desire of the people for freedom during the Prussian war, under the leadership of the great female goddess Bellona with her army of volunteers. "Triumph 1810" shows Napoleon as a warlike man who was able to actually subjugate Austria as a result of his victory and the signing of the Vienna Peace Treaty.
The sculpture “Resistance”, which is located on the eastern side of the monument, shows the true fear of the inhabitants of Paris during the battle for it, and “Peace” symbolizes the return of loving husbands and fathers from the war, peace, calm and serenity, on the western side.
Above these sculptures rise 6 bas-reliefs that tell about the exploits of the French army and Napoleon himself. On the Avenue de la Grande-Arme side is the first of them, created by the sculptor Feucher, which tells the story of the heroism of Bonaparte himself during the attack on the Arcole Bridge from November 15 to 17 in 1976.
It’s called “The Battle of Arcola”. Next to it is a bas-relief by Jean-Etienne Chaponier, dedicated to the battle in Egypt in July 1978 - “The Battle of Kanob”.
From the side of the Champs-Elysees you can see a bas-relief by Lamer, which shows the funeral of one of the great generals on September 20, 1796, nicknamed for his courage “the lion of the French army” François-Severin Marceau-Degravier - “The Funeral of General Marceau”.
Here, by the author Serre the Elder, the decisive naval battle, in July 1799, between navy Great Britain and France, where Napoleon won a victory over the Turks, the result of which was the performance of the Turkish prisoner of war chief Said Mustafa Pasha - the composition “Battle of Abukir”.
On one side of the arch there is a bas-relief by Hester “The Battle of Austerlitz” - also known as the “Battle of the Three Emperors” of Napoleon I, Franz II and Alexander I, the result of which was the withdrawal of Austria from the war and the collapse of the Third Anti-French Coalition.
On the other side is the composition by Carlo Marochetti - “The Battle of Jemappes”, which resulted in the occupation of the entire Austrian Netherlands by the French army in November 1972.
A total of 30 bas-reliefs are depicted, and, by the way, one of them even marks Napoleon’s victory in Alexandria in 1798, where, to the sounds of the march of French musicians, bulls are carrying the body of the Sphinx and the battle for Borodino. The arched doorway is decorated with maidens with wings blowing fanfares created by Jean-Jacques Pradier, symbolizing the glory of great victories.
Above the friezes, in the upper part of the monument, there are 30 shields with the names of 128 battles, and on the short sides of the four supporting columns, battles in which victories were won are painted. Under the arches of the large arch there are slabs with the names of 660 people who became famous in battle, including 558 military leaders.
Conclusion
Napoleon Bonaparte never saw the opening of the Arc de Triomphe, and therefore on December 15, 1840, solemn ceremony, during which the ashes of the great Emperor were brought from the island of St. Helena, under the vault of his dreams, to his final resting place.
The greatest building became the venue for all kinds of marches and parades. Here also lie the remains of an unknown soldier, solemnly buried on January 28, 1921, who gave his life for his homeland during the First World War.
In honor of him, in the evenings, at 18:30, a fire is lit, so it is better to visit the arch closer to this time in order to truly feel the strength and power of the Arc de Triomphe.