The Arc de Triomphe

Sitting at the end of Champs-Élysées is the Arc de Triomphe, a carrousel (a French monument generally depicting horsemanship) commissioned by Emperor Napoleon in 1806 and completed in 1836 that was meant to commemorate French victories (and specifically Napoleon's) in the field of battle.

Also known as Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, the monument is 164 feet high and 148 feet long and 72 feet wide. It is an absolutely stunning piece of craftsmanship and art. Here's a photo of Cindy and her mom on the Champs-Élysées with the Arc in the background. That's as far as they went and the closest they got to the Arc. It was left to me to explore the Arc itself from a close-up perspective.

The Arc sits at the convergence point of 12 different avenues, all approaching the Arc like spokes on a wheel. It is definitely NOT a place for novice drivers in Paris and I have heard a rumor that insurance companies will not insure any vehicle that will be driving around the Arc because there are so many accidents. It is also NOT a place for pedestrians, as it would be certain suicide to approach the Arc by crossing the multiple lanes of traffic (12) flowing around the monument. That's why they have a tunnel you can walk through under the street to get to the Arc.

Once you emerge from the tunnel you can either stroll around the bottom and outside of the Arc,

or you can purchase a ticket and pay for the privilege of walking up 284 steps on a circular stairway through the inside of the Arc to the top.

I'm going to find it hard to complain about the 60 circular stair steps we have to walk up to get to our apartment after this!

But once you're at the top and have spent 10 minutes getting your breath back, the view is spectacular.

Back at the base and under the Arc (going down those stairs is a whole lot easier than going up them) is the French memorial to The Unknown Soldier. I thought this particular guard at the Tomb, with its eternal flame, looked like the quintessential French soldier.

Next post: The Musée d'Orsay; we give you our impression.