Arc de Triomphe - Place Charles de Gaulle Etoile

If you are visiting Paris, be sure to include a trip to see The Arc de Triomphe - a world famous attraction that is a symbol of French patriotism and a source of pride for Parisians.

Many French people visit the Arc during national celebrations.  

It can be found between the Louvre and the Grande Arche de la Défense in Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe measures 49.5 meters high and 45 meters wide.

Four statues can be found at the Arc de Triomphe's base: The Triumph of 1810, La Marseillaise, Peace, and Resistance.

A list of victories by the French during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars can be found engraved around the top of the Arc. The names of important French 660 important French military figures are inscribed inside the walls. These include 558 generals. Those generals who were killed in battle have their names underlined.

In 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned the production of the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc was designed by Jean Francois Therese Chalgrin who used ancient Roman arches as his inspiration.

In 1836, the Arc de Triomphe was completed. At that time, it was far from the center of town. Almost no one showed up for the opening ceremony. The Arc was completed during the reign of King Louis-Philippe.

The Arc de Triomphe is open around the clock.

If you look down from the Arc's roof, you can see all of the 12 major avenues of Paris, which intersect at the monument.

If you are walking to the Arc de Triomphe, you can reach it by taking an underpass.

The nearest metro station is Charles de Gaulle-Étoile.