When you think of Paris landmarks – you think of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. Napoleon commissioned the Arch to commemorate his victory at the battle of Austerlitz in 1806. Sadly, it was not completed until 1836 (at which point Napoleon in was imprisoned on a remote island in the Pacific) and so he never did see his Arch completed. When Napolean’s remains were returned to France from Saint Helena, they passed below the Arch on a parade to their final resting place at Invalides.
The Arc de Triomphe now honours those who fought and died for France. Beneath the Arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI. There is an eternal flame and every day at 6:30 pm the flame is relit and fresh flowers are placed by school children. No one parades under the Arch anymore. Even in WWII when the Nazis took over France, Hitler respected the grave of the unknown soldier and his troops walked around the arch instead.
A statue of Napolean overlooking some old and new soldiers
from the top there is a camera on what is happening below … you can see the daily ceremony of the relighting of the eternal flame and placing of fresh flowers
View down the Champs-Elyeees
The Iron lady from the top
A view of the Etoile (now Place Charles de Gaulle) … 12 roads converge on the Arc de Triomphe
A view of traffic on the Etoile … There are no lanes and the only rule is people entering have the right of way. Somehow it seems to work.
Maps & Flip Flops 