The Arc de Triomphe is a true symbol of Paris and the history of France. It is located on Place Charles de Gaulle (also called Place Etoile or Place des Stars) and is considered the largest in Europe.
Its height reaches 49.51 meters (vault - 29.19 meters), and width - 44.82 meters.
Story
Napoleon I Bonaparte in 1806, a year after the Battle of Austerlitz, ordered the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in honor of the revolution and military victories. We spent two years building the foundation. The architect Chalgrin was involved in the project.
In 1810, Napoleon married the Austrian princess Marie Louise. She was supposed to pass under the arches of this arch, but the structure was not yet ready. Before the celebration, an arch decoration was created from boards and canvas.
By 1811 the work was still not completed. The same year the architect who worked on the project died. By that time, another five meters of the arch had not been completed. For several years it stood unfinished in the center of Paris. Napoleon himself died in 1821, without seeing the implemented project, which he had once initiated.
Under Emperor Louis-Philippe, the construction of the arch was completed thanks to the architect Abel Blouet. The year was 1836 then.
In 1840, a cortege carrying Napoleon's ashes passed under the arch. Then such mourning ceremonies were organized after the death of Victor Hugo, the world-famous French writer, politician Louis Adolphe Thiers, and General Joffre.
In 1821, a ceremony for the burial of the remains of the Unknown Soldier took place under the arch. The inscription on the slab reads: “Here lies a French soldier who died for the Fatherland in 1914 - 1918.”
Description of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
Famous masters worked on the sculptural groups of the Arc de Triomphe. Among them: Jean-Jacques Pradier, Francois Rud, Jean-Pierre Cortot, Antoine Etex, Bernard Gabriel Serre, Jean-Jacques Fescher and others. All bas-reliefs and sculptural figures are made in the neoclassical style.
On the bas-reliefs under the arched doorway are winged maidens blowing fanfares. They became a symbol of glory and triumph.
On the side of the Champs-Elysees there are bas-reliefs “Funeral of General Marceau” and “Presentation of a captured Turkish military commander to Napoleon Bonaparte.” From the avenue side - “The Battle of the Ancient Egyptian City of Kanob” and “The Battle of Arcola”. On the sides are the battles of Austerlitz and Jemappe.
Also on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris you can find a bas-relief depicting Napoleon Bonaparte. The Emperor appears with a laurel wreath of victory.
Below are four more sculptural groups. From the Champs-Elysees side - “Triumph of 1810” in honor of the signing of the Schönbrunn Peace and the end of the Austro-French War, as well as the most famous - “Campaign against the Prussian troops”. The sculptural group stands out from others with its expression and dynamism. It depicts warriors led by the winged goddess of victory. She became the personification of freedom, the Motherland and the revolutionary anthem “Marseillaise”. On the side of Avenue Grande Armée are the sculptures “Resistance of 1814” and “Peace of 1815”.
Around the Arc de Triomphe there are granite stones connected by chains. There are only 100 of them - exactly the same number of days that the second reign of Napoleon Bonaparte lasted.
Museum at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
There is a museum in the arch. There you will see not only exhibits related to revolutionary and military battles, but also with the help of interactive screens you can be transported to distant and significant events in history.
There is a wonderful viewing platform on the arch. To climb it, you need to climb 284 steps or take an elevator almost to the top and climb 46 steps.
On July 14, Bastille Day, a parade takes place here. It is believed that this is one of the most successful days to visit Star Square. However, the only negative is that on this day in the morning you cannot get into the arch itself.
Opening hours and ticket prices
The museum is open every day. Closed only on January 1, May 1, May 8 in the morning, July 14, November 11 in the morning and December 25.
Operating mode:
- from January 2 to March 31 - from 10.00 to 22.30;
- from April 1 to September 30 - from 10.00 to 23.00;
- from October 1 to December 31 - from 10.00 to 22.30.
The cash register stops working half an hour before closing.
Ticket prices:
- for adults - 12 euros;
- for students from 18 to 25 years old - 9 euros;
- for groups (more than 20 people) - 9 euros per person;
- For children and students under 17 years of age, admission is free.
How to get to the Arc de Triomphe
The arch is located on Star Square. You can get there in different ways:
- by metro on lines 1, 2 and 6 to the Charles de Gaulle - Etoile station;
- by buses No. 22, 30,31, 52, 73 and 92 to the stop “Charles de Gaulle - Etoile”;
- on a rented or personal car. Using the route on a google map you can find out how to get to the arch from Charles de Gaulle airport (travel time approximately 30-40 minutes)
You can also use the services of local taxi services - Taxi G7, Alpha Taxis, 01 Taxi, Taxis.
Arc de Triomphe on Google Panorama
Arc de Triomphe on video
Among the most beautiful cities of the Old World, Paris rightfully occupies one of the leading places. Its world-famous sights are awe-inspiring: the Eiffel Tower, and, of course, Arc de Triomphe, which located on General Charles de Gaulle Square, formerly called Star Square. From the center of the square, where there is a monument erected in honor of those soldiers who died for France, the “beams” of twelve streets diverge.
Arc de Triomphe in Paris - description.
The triumphal arch was built in antique style and has a U-shape. The prototype of the monument was the famous Roman Arch of Titus. Height of the Arc de Triomphe reaches 49.5 m, the width is almost 45 m, and the height of the vault of the central span is more than 29 m. The four pylons supporting the vault of the arch are decorated with sculptural bas-reliefs made by different sculptors. “Marseillaise” was created by François Rudeau, “The Triumph of Napoleon 1810” was created by Cortot, and “Resistance” and “Peace” belong to the Etex chisel. From the north and south, the passages between the pylons are designed in the form of small arched vaults.
The upper bas-reliefs of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris tell the story of 128 victories won by the French army. The names of 558 French officers who covered themselves with military glory are carved on the interior walls. The monument is surrounded by hundreds of granite pedestals connected by cast iron chains. They are a symbol of the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. There are 46 steps leading to the roof of the arch, where the observation deck is located. From the height of the monument, you can admire the stunning view of Paris and stand in delight when you see numerous monuments, buildings and avenues located on the same line, which are not for nothing called the “Triumphal Way”.
Arc de Triomphe inside.
Inside the monument there is a small museum with an exhibition where you can learn about the history of the creation of the Arc de Triomphe. There, under the dome of the arch, is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to the soldiers who died in the First World War of 1914-1918. An eternal flame burns above her, as a reminder of this.
The history of the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
After the victorious battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon Bonaparte decided to perpetuate the memory of this event. And on February 18, 1806, he gave the order to erect a structure that would correspond in importance to the victory he won. The original idea for the monument belonged to J.F. Chalgrin, after whose death the work was continued by the architects J.N. Yuyo, G. A. Blues, and L. Gu. Each of them made their own additions to the project, making the structure even more majestic than the Roman model.
At the end of the summer of 1807, the first foundation stone was laid, construction lasted about two years. For various reasons, the construction of the monument was postponed several times. Napoleon, who conceived this construction, never saw it completed. Entering Paris in 1810, he passed under the wooden arches of the model, and in 1814 (the year of his abdication) the Arc de Triomphe was only half erected.
With the coming to power of the Bourbon dynasty, construction was frozen and continued only in 1830. Six years later, on July 29, 1836, the Arc de Triomphe was opened. In 1840, only a funeral cortege was destined to pass under the arches of the monument, delivering the remains of the emperor for burial in the Palace of Invalides.
The height and width of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris are so enormous that in 1919, pilot Charles Godfrey flew an airplane through the arch to celebrate the end of the First World War. Over the past almost 180 years, the monument has suffered greatly. Atmospheric precipitation, urban smog and soil vibration caused by vehicle traffic led to cracking of the bas-reliefs and weakening of the strength of the masonry. Therefore, the Arc de Triomphe is in need of restoration work, the last of which took place in 2003 and 2008.
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is a landmark of the French capital, located on Place Charles de Gaulle. This is a unique monument of history and architecture, which every schoolchild knows about today. Excursions in Paris almost always include a visit to this French landmark.
The square itself has a star-shaped appearance (in French it is called La Place de l’Étoile - Square of the Star) - all thanks to the twelve streets that radiate from it.
Story
The Parisian Arc de Triomphe took thirty years to complete. The decision to build it was made by the French conqueror Napoleon Bonaparte. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris was built in honor of the great victories of the emperor. The monument was designed by architect Jean Chalgrin. He died almost immediately after laying the foundation.
Work was constantly suspended as Bonaparte began to suffer defeats in battles. That is why it took so long to build. However, Napoleon himself did not live to see the completion of the work - in 1836, at the time of the opening of the arch, the country was ruled by Louis Philippe.
But the great emperor’s dream of triumph nevertheless came true - in 1840, a coffin with the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte, who died in 1821, was carried under the arch.
Peculiarities
The Arc de Triomphe was erected at the end of the Champs Elysees and is located on a slight hill. Its facades face the fields descending to the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. On the other side is Avenue Grande Armée.
The arch has a U-shape and one central opening. There are two more openings on both sides. The top of the Arc de Triomphe is crowned with a five-meter frieze, the bas-reliefs of which tell about the great victories of the French army. There is an observation deck at the top.
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the key elements of the French Historical Axis, which consists of historical monuments, buildings and streets that are located on the same axis (from the Louvre to the Grande Arc de la Défense). Another name for the axis is the Triumphal Route.
Arc de Triomphe today
The history of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is rich in colorful events, but even today it is a majestic structure, reaching a height of almost fifty meters. The famous architectural monument is made in antique style.
Beautiful maidens with wings blowing fanfares are a symbol of glory and triumph. Also on the arch you can see the sculpture “Marseillaise”, which expresses the protest of volunteers against the Prussian army that captured Lorraine.
Other decorations include the sculpture “Triumph of 1810” by Cortot, dedicated to the signing of the Peace of Vienna, and the sculptures “Peace” and “Resistance” by Etex, a little-known French architect.
On the walls of one of the most famous Arc de Triomphe in the world you can see the names of bloody battles in which France was victorious at different times. The names of the great French commanders are also present here.
Around the arch there are one hundred pedestals connected by heavy chains. Durable cast iron was used for their manufacture. These pedestals are not just decoration, but a symbol of the hundred days of Napoleon Bonaparte's reign.
Arc de Triomphe and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Inside the arch there is a small museum: here you can study the history of the construction of the structure and learn all about the triumphal processions that took place under the Arch. Every visitor can go up – the view from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is amazing.
The grave under the arches of the structure deserves special attention. In 1912, an ordinary soldier who died during the First World War was buried there - his name remains unknown.
How to get there
The best way to get to the arch is through underground passages, as the flow of cars is endless even at night. The Arc de Triomphe can be reached by bus or metro from Charles de Gaulle - Etoile station. The architectural monument is open every day from 10 am to 11 pm. Entry fee is 10 euros. Any tourist who comes to Paris must go to the Arc de Triomphe in France, because it attracts people like a magnet. This place, like a mirror, reflects the events that took place in the country from the beginning of the 19th century to the present day.
- The prototype of the structure was the one with a similar arched span and columns.
- In 1810, the decoration of the future arch was built on a stone foundation from boards and canvas - it was made in anticipation of the arrival of Empress Marie-Louise.
- Under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe, the coffins with the bodies of Lazarus Carnot, Victor Hugo, Gambetta and other famous personalities stopped.
- An eternal flame is lit annually near the Arch, and military parades are held with the laying of wreaths.
- The design of the Arc de Triomphe in Pyongyang, which was completed in 1982, was modeled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
- On August 7, 1919, pilot Charles Godefroy flew under the arch in his biplane with a wingspan of 7.5 meters.
- By the early 60s of the 20th century, the monument had become significantly blackened by soot and automobile exhaust gases; it was cleaned by bleaching in 1965-1966.
And now we have come to the Arc de Triomphe (l’Arc de triomphe) on the Square of the Stars (la place de l’Étoile). This square has another name - Charles de Gaulle Square (la pace Charles de Gaulle). She has been wearing it since 1970, when the national hero of France, the leader of the French Resistance to the Nazis, the founder of the Fifth Republic, General de Gaulle, passed away.
It was not for nothing that the area with a diameter of a quarter of a kilometer received the name of the Star at one time: twelve rays-streets diverge from it in all directions. Let's watch together. These are, firstly, of course, the Champs Elysees, behind the Arc de Triomphe, continuing to the north-west with the Avenue of the Grand Army, and also the avenues of Jena, Friedland and Wagram, named in honor of Napoleon's victories. Other avenues bear the names of military leaders - Osha, Foch, Kleber, Marceau, Carnot. One is reminiscent of the great writer Victor Hugo and another is named after Patrice de MacMahon, who served as President of France from 1873 to 1879. Coming from Irish aristocrats, we are interested in him as a military leader who took the Malakhov Kurgan of Sevastopol in 1855, during the Crimean War, and suppressed the Paris Commune in 1871.
Well, let's move on. Where do you want to go? What to see? Of course, in the capital of France you can (and should!) watch everything at every turn, but since you’re asking... So be it, let’s go to. You don’t even need to look for her - there she is, hovering over the roofs of Paris.
This term has other meanings, see Arc de Triomphe (meanings). Arc de Triomphe Genre: novel
Capital of France. Known already in the 1st century. BC e. like the village of Lutetia, name from Gallic. lut swamp, i.e. a settlement in a swamp. Later Lutetia Parisiorum from the ethnonym Parisia, Gallic. tribe that lived on the banks of the Seine. Then Parisiorum, and... ... Geographical encyclopedia
Plan of Paris Plan of the surrounding area of Paris (Paris, ancient Lutetia Parisiorum) the capital of France and the main city. dpt. Seine, at 48° 50 N. w. and 2° 20 in. (Green.), 168 km from the Atlantic Ocean, on both banks of the Seine. Surface height from 25 to 128 m... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Ephron
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- (Paris) the capital of France, the main economic, political and cultural center of the country, one of the largest and most beautiful cities in the world. Located on the river. The Seine, at the confluence of the main tributaries of the Marne and Oise. The climate is mild, temperate,... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Paris- (Paris) Paris, the capital, political, business and cultural center of France, located on the Seine River; 2,175,200 inhabitants (1990). An early settlement on a small island on the Seine River, known as the island of Cité, was formed by the Gallic tribe of the Parisians. His… … Countries of the world. Dictionary
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Appendix to the article Arc de Triomphe (Paris) See also: List of French commanders of the Napoleonic and revolutionary wars Names carved under the Arc de Triomphe, list of 660 military leaders who served France during the Revolution and ... ... Wikipedia
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Books
- Arc de Triomphe, Remarque Erich Maria. "Arc de Triomphe" is a poignant story of love in spite of everything, a love that brings pain, but also gives endless joy. The setting is Paris on the eve of World War II. Hero-…
- Arc de Triomphe: a novel, Remarque E.M.. “Arc de Triomphe” is a piercing story of love in spite of everything, love that brings pain, but also gives endless joy. The setting is Paris on the eve of World War II. Hero -...
