Arc Triomphe Historical Monument

Place Charles-de-Gaulle 75008 Paris

Open : Close : Full tariff : Reduced tariff :

April 1 through September 30: from 9.30 to 23.00 October 1 through March 31: from 10.00 to 22.30 January 1, May 1, May 8 (morning), July 14 (morning), November 11 (morning) and December 25. 7 per person. Individual: 4.5 Groups: 5.50 euros per person for groups of more than 20 people. Schools: From Oct. 1 to Mar. 15: 15 euros per person for groups of 30 students From Mar. 16 to Sept. 30: 30.50 euros per person for groups of 30

Subway : RER : Bus :

lignes 1, 2 et 6 - station Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile. ligne A - station Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile. lignes 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92 et Balabus.

Spoken languages : English, French, German, Russian, Spanish Accepted means of payment : Carte Bleue, Cash, Check, MASTERCARD, VISA card What to see in the area Length : 45 m Height : 50 m Dimensions: Length: 45 metres Height: 50 metres

Architects: Begun by Jean Franois Chalgrin, who was suceeded by L. Goust and J-N. Huyot. Description The Arc de Triomphe is situated 2.2 kms north-west of the Place de la Concorde, at the far end of the Avenue des Champs-Elyses. The Arc de Triomphe is at the centre of the Place de lEtoile, a roundabout from which radiates 12 avenues. Some of these avenues are named after Napoleonic victories (Wagram, Ina, Friedland), others honour wellknown generals of the Empire period (Marceau, Hoche, Carnot) as well as the French army (Grande Arme). The Arc de Triomphe and its monumental pillars are decorated by relief sculptures commemorating various events of the French Revolution, including the First Empire, period. On the right, facing the Champs Elyses, is La Marseillaise (also known as The Volunteers Departure) by Franois Rude. On the left of the same side is Napoleons Victory by Cortot. Resistance and Peace (both by Etex) are located on the other side of the monument. Historical background: 17th century: In 1667, the park of the Tuileries Palace was extended as far as the Chaillot hill (where the Arc de Triomphe is now located). Andr Le Ntre designed this park, which included several large avenues. In 1694, a newly-built avenue was named Champs Elyses. 19 th century: In 1806, upon his return from the successful Battle of Austerlitz, Napolon Bonaparte had a monument erected in honour of the French Army. The construction took the form of a triumphal arch in honour of antiquity and Napoleons military genius. Work was suspended after the fall of the Napoleonic Empire, but begun again in 1825 and finished in 1836, when the monument was inaugurated by the king, Louis-Philippe. The Arc de Triomphe also featured in Baron Haussmanns renovation of Paris town planning: the roundabout was installed in 1854 and several years later, a further seven avenues were added. On December 15, 1840, when Napoleons ashes were being transferred to Paris, the cortege passed under the Arc de Triomphe. On May 22, 1885, an all-night vigil was held there for Victor Hugo, prior to his burial in the Pantheon.

20th century: Following the Armistice in 1919, the victorious troops paraded under the Arc de Triomphe. The body of an unknown soldier was buried there in November 1920, and the eternal flame at the centre of the Arc de Triomphe, honoring those fallen on the World War I battlefields, was lit in 1923. In August 1944, at the liberation of Paris, General de Gaulle came to render hommage to the Unknown Solider. As of that date, the Arc de Triomphe became the site for many public and patriotic ceremornies.