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My vision of the Arc de Triomphe before visiting Paris was of naturally a moderately sized structure. On arrival I was soon to realise this was far bigger than I had imagined and the pictures I had seen in guide books did not do it justice. The Arc is over 50 metres high, 45 metres wide and 22 metres deep. It was huge and upon first site like most other things in Paris I was captivated. The Arc de Triomphe is clearly visable from the commencement of the Champs Elysees near the Lourve palace several kilometres away.
Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon I to commemorate the success of his imperial armies after the victory at Austerlitz it is the world’s largest triumphal arc. Designed by Jean Chalgrin, it was completed in 1836 in the reign of Louis Phillipe and was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. Situated in the centre of the Place Charles De Gaulle (Place de l’Etoile) at the Western end of the Champs Elysees it forms a symetry with each of the 12 avenues which are all clearly visable from the top of Arc de Triomphe. Since 1920 the base of the Arc has housed the tomb of the unknown soldier which commemorates the dead from the first and second world wars.
The Arc de Triomphe is another example of the grandeur and amazing vision of French design. At the base of each pillar are huge relief sculptures that provide amazing detail and refined vision. These are the equal of any great sculpture you are likely to see and the fact they are buried within the pillars adds an element of amazement and vision to the Arc. The Arc is inscribed with the major victories of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars and the names of generals are included on the inside of the pillars.
The Arc is not the only highlight of the area. The Arc forms the centre of a massive roundabout that highlights much of what Paris is when visiting. Cars zig zag in and about, cutting each other off in a random pattern that defies logic. Just when you think traffic looks logical a bus pulls out into the middle of traffic playing chicken with all forms of transport and you just wait for something bad to happen but on my trip nothing did. I had heard many stories of this roundabout and accidents but it seemed insane but it worked. I would definately suggest upon visiting the Arc de Triomphe that you take the time just to watch the traffic even for 5 minutes, it’s remarkable. Due to the placement of the Arc in the middle of this six lane or something roundabout (sometimes it’s three and other times seven) entry to the Arc is best taken by going down the underground entrance from the Champs Elysees.
No trip to the Arc is complete without a walk to the top. Click here to check current entry times and prices. The walk up the Arc de Triomphe is a winding walk and could take a toll on the elderly or unfit. An elderly couple looked like they were doing it tough and were paused about half the way up looking a bit red in the face, several minutes later I saw them at the top so they made it. The site from the top is amazing, 12 avenues in near perfect alignment and some of the finest views in Paris await you. 50 metres above France provides some stunning views down the Champs Elysees and the other avenues of Paris. Paris is one of the most articulate and well designed cities and visitors are blessed by a city that has taken great pride in maintaining uniformity and structure which make Paris all the more unique. The Arc de Triomphe is another of the must see sites of Paris and if you had only one day in Paris it would be hard to argue that you would add this to your list along with the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre.
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