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La
Tour Eiffel
Le
Panthéon
Arc de Triomphe
Le
Sacré Coeur
La
Sainte Chapelle
Notre
Dame
Arc de Triomphe
History
Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon,
shortly after his victory at Austerlitz, it was not finished until
1836. There are four huge relief sculptures at the bases of the
four pillars. These commemorate The Triumph of 1810 (Cortot); Resistance
, and Peace (both by Etex); and The Departure of the Volunteers,
more commonly known by the name La Marseillaise (Rude).
La Marseillaise by François Rude; One of four reliefs on
the pillars of the Arch. The day the Battle of Verdun started in
1916, the sword carried by the figure representing the Republic
broke off. The relief was immediately hidden to conceal the accident
and avoid any undesired associations or interpretations as a bad
omen.
Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names
of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods.
The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals,
are to found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined
died in action.
Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, and eternal flame commemorating the dead of the two world
wars. Here
every Armistice Day (11 November) the President of the Republic
lays a wreath. On 14 July - the French National Day (refered to
as Bastille Day everywhere except in France) - a military parade
down the Champs Elysées begins here. For important occasions
of state, and national holidays, a huge French tricolor is unfurled
and hung from the vaulted ceiling inside of the Arch
Practical Info :
Place
Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris
The Arch is most easily (and safely) reached by tunnel from the
north side of the Champs Elysées.
Address:
Place du Général de Gaulle
75008 Paris
Tél. : 01.55.37.73.77
Open:
Winter 10 a.m.-5.30 p.m. - Summer 9.30 a.m.-6.30 p.m. Late night
opening: Friday in the summer 10 p.m.
Prices Standard : 40,00 FF
Special rates : 25,00 FF
6,10 and 3,81 euros
Closed: Bank holidays

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