Place de l’Étoile – Arc de Triomphe
The Place de l’Étoile is the familiar name for the Place Charles de Gaulle, renamed at the time of his presidency in 1970. Situated in the middle of the axe historique of Paris, the 787’ star square, with the Arc de Triomphe in the center, is the main junction of 12 avenues. Redesigned by Baron Haussmann in his modernization of the city in the 1860’s, the wide boulevards and open views of the historic monuments in the “city of light” brought a new look to the dark and shabby Paris of the early 1800’s. Two streets, the rue de Presbourg and the rue de Tilsitt, form a circle around the Place de l’Étoile, and the avenues going clockwise are identified as follows: Avenue de Wagram, Hoche, de Friedland, des Champs-Élysées, Marceau, d’léna, Kléber, Victor Hugo, Foch, de la Grande-Armée, Carnot, and Mac-Mahon.
One of the main attractions for visitors to Paris is the Arc de Triomphe, the world’s largest triumphal arch of Roman architecture dating back to Napoleon Bonaparte. Located at the end of the Champs-Élysées on the highest point of the hill of Chaillot, it stands as a symbol of national unity and French patriotism. Construction began in 1806 with architect Jean François Thérèse Chalgrin, and was continued by Joust until Napoleon’s defeat. Appropriate recognition is given to architect Blouet for completing the Arc in 1836 under the reign of Louis Philippe.
The Arch measures 164’ high x 148’ long x 72’ wide, with an open passageway, 98’ high x 49’ wide, and elaborate reliefs on both sides. The sculpture by Cortot on the left side of the Arch, facing the Champs-Élysées, depicts Napoleon with a laurel wreath and a trumpet of victory standing over a defeated town. On the right is the famous Departure of the Volunteers in 1792 (La Marseillaise, French national anthem) by François Rude.
On the opposite side of the Arch, facing the wealthy suburb of Neuilly, are two sculptures by Étex. Peace in the center has a man putting his sword to rest and the peasants going back to work, while Resistance on the right is of a soldier defending his family. More reliefs directly above these portray the capture of Alexandria, Napoleon’s crossing of the Arcole Bridge against the Austrians, and the return of his army to Paris. At the very top of the Arch are 30 shields, each inscribed with the names of Revolutionary and Napoleonic victories, along with swords, palmettes, and the heads of Medusa at the roof’s edge. The names of less important victories and 558 generals are inscribed on the interior walls of the Arch.
The Tomb of France’s Unknown Soldier rests in the chapel on the first floor of the Arch in honor of soldiers from both World Wars, where the eternal flame has been relit every evening at 6:30 p.m. since 1920. The President lays a wreath each year on November 11 (Armistice Day), and on July 14 (Bastille Day), a military parade begins at the Arch and continues down the Champs-Élysées. In addition, the French flag is flown on national and state holidays, and the last segment of the Tour de France ends here in July.
Visitors can enjoy a spectacular view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe that includes the Louvre, the Tuileries, the Place de la Concorde, and the Grande Arche. The small museum within features an exhibition and video in French and English on its construction.
Hours: Summer – Daily 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., winter (Oct 1 – Mar 31) – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed public holidays.
Admission: From 3 to 6 Euros. (Includes admission to the museum.)
(Passes for Paris museums and attractions are available for 2, 4, and 6-day visits and can be purchased online.)
(Note: A convenient pedestrian tunnel leads to the Arch from the north side of the Champs-Élysées.)