A monument erected to the glory of the victories of the Great French Army in the 8th arrondissement of Paris on the Place Charles de Gaulle (Stars). It is located at the top of the Champs Elysees, on the hill of Chaillot.

After battle of austerlitz, Napoleon ordered the construction of a triumphal arch in honor of the military victories won by France during the Revolution and during the First Empire. The Emperor laid the foundation stone on his birthday, August 15, 1806. It took two years to build the foundation.

Around the arch was created Star Square, and she was then outside the city, closely adjoining the city outpost of Chaillot.

The architect was the architect J.-F. Schalgren (1730–1811) inspired by examples of similar monuments ancient rome. Triumphal arches in Rome were erected in memory of a significant event, in honor of a famous person, deity. But the size of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is much larger than the samples of the ancient world. Its height is 50 m, width is 45 m, the arch has one span, the dimensions of which are 14.2–29 m.

It took 30 years to complete the construction of the monument. In its finished form, neither Napoleon nor Chalgrin himself saw it, in which the height of the arch reached only 5 m.

The collapse of Napoleon in 1815 suspended work on the construction of the Arc de Triomphe. Again, the construction of the arch began under Louis Philippe (1773-1850) and completed in 1836. However, the original idea (to dedicate the arch only to the victories of Napoleon) was abandoned, deciding that it was necessary to glorify the army not only of the Empire, but also of the Republic.

In 1840, under pressure from the Bonapartists, Louis-Philippe transported Napoleon's remains from Saint Helena to France. The funeral procession solemnly passed under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe. Currently, the body of Napoleon Bonaparte rests in the Les Invalides in Paris.

The construction was completed under the direction of the architect Abel Blue. The arch is richly decorated with sculptural high reliefs. The most interesting is the right high relief on the east side (facing the Champs-Elysées) - “Performance of volunteers on a campaign. 1792" by François Rude.

On the walls of the arch are engraved the names of 128 battles in the history of France won by the republican and imperial armies, as well as the names of 558 French military leaders. The arch is surrounded by 100 granite pedestals (in honor of the "hundred days" of Napoleon's reign), interconnected by cast-iron chains.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier appeared in the main span of the arch in 1921. A soldier who died in the First World War is buried here. world war. He was chosen at Verdun from thousands of others.

The monument became the venue for the most solemn ceremonies. The coffin with the body of Emperor Napoleon from the island of St. Helena, with a large gathering of people on December 15, 1840, was carried under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe to the place of eternal rest in the cathedral of Les Invalides. Here, for one night on May 30, 1885, the coffin with the body of Victor Hugo was put up. Thiers, Gambetta, Carnot, MacMahon, Generals Foch and Joffre, General Philippe Leclerc, Marshal Lattre de Tassigny were honored with a solemn funeral ceremony with a stop under the vaults of the arch after their death. At the arch, jubilant Parisians in August 1944 welcomed General de Gaulle, who had returned from London.

Every year on July 14, a military parade is held here with the laying of wreaths at the Eternal Flame. The President of France and veterans take part in the parade, which, unfortunately, is becoming less and less every year.

In 1854, the round Square of the Star received a modern "star-shaped" look, thanks to 12 streets that radiated from it. In 1969 the square was renamed and now bears the name of Charles de Gaulle.

Standing on the natural elevation of the Star Square, majestic and powerful Triumphal Arch reigns over Paris.

It is considered a symbol of the city, along with the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. The monument is a permanent place of pilgrimage for a huge number of tourists.

Inside the monument there is a museum of the same name, and at the top there is an observation deck with a stunning view of Paris.

A visit to the Arc de Triomphe includes climbing 284 steps to observation deck and visiting museums. The halls of the museum exhibit architectural and sculptural samples, as well as exhibits telling about the history of the creation of the arch. Using a special mechanism, here you can see in more detail the sculptural compositions located above the arch supports.

The triumphal arch is open daily April-September from 10.00 to 23.00; October-March from 10.00 to 22.30. The exceptions are January 1, May 1, the morning of May 8, the morning of July 14, the morning of November 11, December 25.

Tariff: adults - 9 €, children under 18 accompanied by adults - free of charge.

Pantheon. The famous buildings of Paris also include the Arc de Triomphe, located on Charles de Gaulle Square. Monumental and majestic, it was erected by order of Napoleon in honor of the victories of his great army.

History of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Napoleon signed the decree on the construction of the Arc de Triomphe on February 18, 1806. The arch should become a new symbol of the invincibility of the French army.

After the death of Schalgren, the work was continued by the architects L. Gu, J. N. Yuyo and G. A. Blue, each of whom tried to convey some of his ideas in the construction. Models for the Arc de Triomphe, despite the fact that it was built under the direction of different people, ancient Roman structures still remained, only the French arch, according to the plans, was to become much more majestic.

On August 15, 1807, the foundation stone was laid. Construction began, which, however, was interrupted more than once, mainly for political reasons.

Napoleon abdicated in 1814. But the arch was not ready yet. Its supports rose only to half the planned height. The Bourbon Empire was restored, there was no need to exalt Napoleon, so construction stopped.

It's been 8 years. Again there was a plan to continue the construction of the arch, but now it had a different purpose. The triumphal arch was supposed to reflect the solemnity of France's victory over. In 1830, they decided to return to the idea that the arch should still exalt the achievements of the French army during the Republic and under Napoleon. This decision turned out to be final. After 6 years, on July 29, 1836, the grand opening took place.

On December 15, 1840, a funeral cortege with the ashes of Napoleon brought from the island of St. Helena. Later, Thiers, Gambetta, Victor Hugo, Lazar Carnot, MacMahon, Generals Foch and Joffre, General Leclerc, Marshal Lattre de Tassigny were awarded a solemn funeral ceremony with a stop under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe after their death.

Features of the structure of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

The Arc de Triomphe is located at the end of the Champs Elysees on a hill, in the center of a large square, named after famous commander Charles de Gaulle. 12 streets branch off from this square.

The facades of the Arc de Triomphe face the Champs Elysees, descending to the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden and to. On the other side of the arch is the Avenue de la Grande Armée, the perspective of which ends with skyscrapers and the Grand Arch of the Défense quarter.

The arch has a classic U-shape. The impressive size is impressive. The arch is 50 meters high and 45 meters wide.

The arch has one central opening. There are two more small openings on the north and south sides.

The Arc de Triomphe is crowned with a 5-meter frieze, the bas-reliefs of which tell about the great deeds of the French army. At the very top of the arch is an attic - a kind of built-on wall. It is engraved with a list of 30 major battles of the Napoleonic army.

On each side of the arch there are relief images of the battles of Austerlitz and Aboukir.

At the top there is an observation deck, very popular with tourists. Inside the arch itself is a small museum of the history of the arch itself.

In 1920, at the foot of the arch, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier appeared, in honor of those who died in the war of 1914-1918, and the Eternal Flame was lit over the grave. The inscription on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier reads: "Here rests a soldier who gave his life for the Motherland, 1914-1919."

In 1986, the Arc de Triomphe turned 150 years old. Over a century and a half, it collapsed quite badly: the bas-reliefs cracked, the joints between the stones weakened. To avoid accidents in case of a possible fall of stones, protective nets were stretched here. The examination carried out showed that the reason for the "disease" of the arch is pollution and the action of rains, which caused uneven settlement of the monument. To save this symbol of national greatness, a number of measures were proposed: strengthening the upper part of the monument and facades, restoring sculptures, strengthening the foundation with concrete injection, filling the space between the stones, etc. The cost of all these operations amounted to 35 million francs. Part of this amount is allocated by the Ministry of Culture, part comes in the form of donations from individuals and organizations. The complete restoration of the Arc de Triomphe was completed by 1990.

The Arc de Triomphe is known, perhaps, all over the world. This is one of the national symbols of France. Today, official events are held near the Arc de Triomphe: holidays, parades, processions.

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is perhaps one of the most recognizable places in France. As you know, triumphal arches are present in many cities, for example, in Moscow, London, Berlin, St. Petersburg, etc.

Such structures were installed because in those days the word "triumph" meant victory in battle. However, the arch in Paris is the most famous and is historical and architectural monument peace. This is due to the history of the creation of this attraction.

The triumphal arch was erected by order of Napoleon after the victory in the battle of Austerlitz. Initially, there were many options for building an arch, but the Roman arch of Titus became a model.

The Paris Arch, 50 meters high and 45 meters wide, took about 30 years to build, from 1806 to 1836. Such a long period is explained by the fact that the architect of this arch died almost immediately after laying the foundation, and Napoleon began to receive defeats more often in his battles.

Therefore, the construction of the arch was significantly delayed, even the emperor himself could not see this structure. On the triumphal arch you can also see the names of the great French commanders and the names of the victorious battles of France.

How to visit the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is located on the most famous street in Paris - the Champs Elysees, from its height there is a beautiful view of this street and a number of buildings up to the Place de la Concorde.

This view was called the “Royal Perspective”, this name is still used today, since the panorama that can be observed from the height of the Arc de Triomphe can truly be called royal.

This arch is on a par with another famous landmark of Paris - the Eiffel Tower. Arriving tourists first of all go to these two wonderful architectural monuments.

As for the visit, everyone can admire the Arc de Triomphe at absolutely any time, since this attraction is located right at the exit from the metro. If you want to visit a museum or an observation deck inside the arch, you only need to purchase a ticket, which costs about 10 euros.

The museum tells tourists about the history of the construction of the arch and about the mass processions through it. You can also visit the museum on any day, with the exception of public holidays, during which the Arc de Triomphe, unfortunately, is closed.

Triumphal Arch- a monument in the center of Paris on Charles de Gaulle Square (Stars).

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris was built in 1806-1836 by the architect Jean Chalgrin by order of Napoleon in honor of his victories. great army».

Construction history

In December 1806, immediately after the Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon ordered the construction of a triumphal arch on the Parisian hill of Chaillot in honor of the military victories won by France during the Revolution and during the First Empire.

Napoleon did not live to see the completion of the Arc de Triomphe: it was completed only in 1836, during the reign of Louis Philippe.

Arch characteristics

The arch was built in 1806-1836 according to the design of the architect Jean Chalgrin. located in the center of the square and has the following characteristics:

• Height 49.51 m,
• Width 44.82 m,
• The height of the vault is 29.19 m.

Sculptures on the arch

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is decorated with four sculptural groups:

• from the side of the Champs Elysees - "La Marseillaise" sk. Ryuda (right) and "Triumph of 1810" sk. Cortot;
• from the side of avenue de la Grande-Arme - "Resistance" (on the right) and "Peace" sk. Eteks.

Above the arched opening are bas-reliefs by the sculptor Jean Jacques Pradier depicting winged maidens blowing fanfare and glorifying feats.

On the walls of the arch are engraved the names of 128 battles won by the republican and imperial armies, as well as the names of 658 French commanders.

• On the arch you can find the names of captured cities, including Moscow.

  Despite the fact that Napoleon did not capture Moscow, its name is indicated instead of the village of Borodino.

• In 1840, during the reburial of Napoleon in the Les Invalides, a carriage with the ashes of the emperor solemnly drove under the Arc de Triomphe.
• In 1916, during the First World War, France was plagued by setbacks, and just at that time, a sword deviated on the sculptural group of the Marseillaise.
• On August 17, 1919, pilot Charles Godefroy flew through the arch on a Nieuport II aircraft with a wingspan of ~ 8 meters.
• January 28, 1921 under the Arc de Triomphe was the burial of the remains of an unknown soldier who died during the First World War. The inscription on the grave reads: "Here rests a French soldier who gave his life for the Motherland, 1914 - 1918."

Arch visit

The Arc de Triomphe can be visited on a guided tour - there is an observation deck at the top, which can be reached by an elevator or 284 steps. The cost of visiting is ~ 10 euros (see the exact cost on the Arc de Triomphe website).

Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France

How to get there: Metro station - Charles de Gaulle - Etoile 1,2 and 6 line or RER line A

Telephone:+33 1 55 37 73 77

Working hours: daily, 10:00-23:00

Website: monuments-nationaux.fr

Arc de Triomphe in Paris on the map

GPS coordinates: 48.873785, 2.295027

Sights of Paris

Arc de Triomphe in Paris - a symbol of greatness and glory

The Arc de Triomphe, along with the Louvre, Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris and others, is one of the most famous symbols Paris. This monumental building is located in district No. 8 of the capital of France, on the square named after the legendary General de Gaulle. The arch owes its appearance to another personality of historical proportions, Emperor Napoleon I. What suddenly inspired Bonaparte to erect such a monument? What are the dimensions of the arch? What are the features of its architecture? The answers to these and many other questions are in our article. We address it to enthusiastic travelers who dream of visiting the most beautiful capital in the world, seeing it and… dying, as the writer, poet and publicist Ilya Ehrenburg said about Paris.

In commemoration of great victories

On December 2, 1805, near the town of Austerlitz, in Moravia, the French army decisively opposed the coalition Russian-Austrian troops. This battle went down in history as the "battle of the three emperors", since all the countries participating in the hostilities were led by emperors (in France - Napoleon I, in Russia - Alexander I, in Austria - Franz II). As a result, the Napoleonic army gained the upper hand, and inspired Bonaparte decided to erect the Arc de Triomphe in honor of the victory in this battle. Well, at the same time glorify all their military successes. It was decided to choose the hill of Chaillot as its location.

Several projects for the future monument lay on the emperor's table. The most different. There was even one according to which the arch was supposed to look like ... a huge stone elephant, "sheltering" inside the museum of His Majesty's military victories. However, Napoleon was more impressed by what is called the classic version of the structure, like the Arch of Titus in Italy (Rome). Even the arched span and columns were decided to be made identical.

The epoch-making construction lasted exactly thirty years. The well-known architect Jean Chalgrin took up the case. Only the construction of the foundation took no less than two years. In 1810, a model of the future arch was erected on the already finished foundation, built in haste from boards and a rough canvas (canvas), which was decorated with decorations for the future arch. The haste was explained by the fact that the solemn entry into Paris of the new Empress Marie-Louise of Austria was expected - moreover, along the Champs Elysees. She should have seen the scale of her august husband's idea. Napoleon himself appreciated the construction site, who, looking at a realistic model, could imagine what the monument would be like.

A year later, the architect J.

Schalgren is dead. Only some 5 meters were not enough for the arch to reach its design height. It's just that no one seems to care anymore. The valiant victories were replaced by a series of military failures (only one defeat near Moscow in 1812 is worth something) and it was decided to stop the work. Napoleon himself is also his brainchild in its completed form: the emperor, as you know, died in 1821 on the island of St. Helena, and construction was completed in 1836. Then the French throne was occupied by Louis-Philippe I. The completion of the work was led by the architect Abel Blouet.

The architectural splendor of the arch

The prototype of the Arc de Triomphe was, as we have already said, the arch of Titus in Rome. This means that the style of the Parisian monument is antique. Its dimensions are quite considerable, which also leads to an analogy with the structures of antiquity. Judge for yourself: it is 49.51 meters high, 44.82 meters wide and 29.19 meters high. If you look at the corners under the arched opening, you can see bas-reliefs depicting maidens with wings blowing fanfare. They symbolize the glory of military victories. The sculptor Jean-Jacques Pradier embodied these allegories in stone.

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is decorated with four sculptural groups. They seem to emphasize the semantic purpose of the monument - not just to show off in the open air, but to remind of the pages of the military history of Napoleonic times. If you look at the arch from the side of the Champs-Elysées, you will see the sculptural group "Triumph of 1810" (the author is the sculptor Cortot). It is dedicated to the conclusion of a peace treaty in Vienna in 1815. On the right you can see the "Volunteer Performance". This composition, also known as the Marseillaise, was dedicated by the sculptor Ryd to the campaign against the Prussian troops who captured Lorraine in 1792.

Now we look from the side of Avenue de la Grande-Armé. On the right is the work of the sculptor Antoine Etex "Resistance of 1814", symbolizing not the easiest and most unambiguous period in the history of France, when allied troops entered Paris and Napoleon was forced to abdicate.

On the left is the sculptural composition Peace of 1815, also dedicated to the Vienna Peace Treaty, which restored absolutism in European countries (the Bourbons overthrown by the revolution again sat on the French throne).

The arch is also decorated with bas-reliefs. They are located on four of its sides. Just like the sculptural groups, they are dedicated to various episodes of the revolutionary and imperial periods of French history. There are six such bas-reliefs. They can be seen above the sculptural groups and on the sides of the monument. We begin to look again from the side of the Champs Elysees. On the left, we see the plot of Bonaparte being introduced to the Ottoman commander Said Mustafa Pasha, who was taken prisoner during the Battle of Abukir in July 1799 (the author is the sculptor Serre the Elder). On the right side there is a bas-relief “The Funeral of General Marceau on September 20, 1796”, the title of which speaks for itself (authorship belongs to the sculptor Lamer).

Now let's look from the side of the avenue de la Grande Armé already known to us. The “Battle of Arcola on November 15, 1796” was embodied in stone by the sculptor Fescher, and the “Battle of Kanob in Egypt on July 3, 1798” was embodied in stone by his colleague Jean-Étienne Chaponier. Let's also name the side bas-reliefs: "The Battle of Jemappe on November 6, 1792" (author Carlo Marochetti) and "The Battle of Austerlitz on December 2, 1805" (the work of the sculptor Geshter). But that's not all. On the walls of the Arc de Triomphe are engraved the names of 558 outstanding military leaders of France and the names of 128 battles, which in different time were won by the republican and imperial armies.

Traditions associated with the arch

After his abdication in 1814, Napoleon I returned to the French throne on March 20, 1815, after his flight from the island of Elba. However, this time he ruled for a short time, until June 20 of the same year. This period is known in history as the "hundred days". In honor of this triumphant return, 100 granite pedestals were placed around the arch, which were connected to each other by heavy cast-iron chains.

There is a museum inside the Arc de Triomphe. Not as big, of course, as the authors of the unrealized project of the arch in the form of a huge elephant intended, and without dedication to the military victories of Bonaparte. This museum is dedicated exclusively to the history of the construction of the monument and the solemn ceremonies that took place under it. So, on December 15, 1840, the ashes of Napoleon were brought under the Arc de Triomphe (the funeral cortege delivered him from St. Helena). Then it became a tradition and mourning ceremonies were held under the vaults of the arch with a mandatory stop on the occasion of the funeral of such famous people like Victor Hugo, Thiers, Lazar Carnot, Gambetta, Generals Joffre and Foch, Marshal Lattre de Tansigny, General Philippe Leclerc. And in memory of the valiant heroes of France who died in the First World War, on January 28, 1921, the remains of the Unknown Soldier were buried under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe.

• At the end of the 20th century, signs of destruction began to appear on the Arc de Triomphe. To prevent this, the French government decided to organize restoration work. By 1989, the building was completely restored.
• The eternal flame at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier is lit only in the evenings, at half past six. Experienced travelers say that it is better to visit the Arc de Triomphe at this time. In the evening there is a special aura, they say, but there are many people. But in the mornings it's not so crowded. For now, let's take their word for it, and when we happen to come to Paris, we'll see for ourselves.
• In addition to the Arc de Triomphe, there are two more arches in Paris. These are the Carruzel Arch near the Louvre and the Grand Arch in the modern business district of La Defense. All three buildings form a kind of "axis" passing through the so-called Triumphal Route - a straight road that, since the reign of Louis XIV, connected the Louvre Palace with the Place de l'Etoile.

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Moscow Triumphal Gates triumphal arch in Moscow, built in honor of the victory of the Russian people in Patriotic War 1812. As a rule, Muscovites do not use the full name of the monument and simply call it the Arc de Triomphe.

Triumphal Arch - restored monument: it was originally erected in 1829-1834 according to the project Osip Bove on Tverskaya Zastava Square, then dismantled in 1936 during the reconstruction of the square and rebuilt in 1966-1968 on Kutuzovsky Prospekt near Poklonnaya mountain.

Triumphal Arch at Tverskaya Zastava

In 1814, when Russian and allied troops entered Paris and peace was achieved, Russian cities began to prepare to meet the troops returning from France. On their way, triumphal gates were erected in the cities, and Moscow was no exception: near the Tverskaya Zastava, where the emperor was traditionally met with honors, they began to build a temporary triumphal arch made of wood.

In 1826, Emperor Nicholas I ordered the erection of the Triumphal Gates in Moscow as a monument to the victory of Russian weapons, similar to the Narva Triumphal Gates, which were being built at that time in St. Petersburg. The development of the project was entrusted to a prominent Russian architect Osip Bove; the master developed it in the same year, but the need to redevelop the area slowed down the process, and the project required changes.

The triumphal gates according to the new project of Beauvais were built in 1829-1834, with a bronze foundation plate and a handful of silver rubles "for good luck" laid in the base - which, by the way, did not help at all: the construction dragged on for 5 years due to lack of funds.

The sculptural decoration of the arch was made by sculptors Ivan Vitali and Ivan Timofeev, working from drawings by Bove. The columns and sculptures were cast from cast iron, and the gates themselves were erected from white stone from the village of Tartarovo ("Tartar marble") and stone from the Samotechny canal being dismantled.

An inscription was made on the attic of the gate (in Russian and Latin from different sides):

In 1899, the first electric tram line in Moscow passed right under the arch, and in 1912 and in the 1920s they were even cleaned and restored.

Unfortunately, in 1936, according to the General Plan for the Reconstruction of Moscow, the gates were dismantled for the reconstruction of the square. Initially, they were planned to be restored near their original location, so during the dismantling, careful measurements were taken and some sculptural and architectural elements were preserved, but in the end they did not restore the gates.

Triumphal Arch on Kutuzovsky Prospekt

In the 1960s, taking into account the artistic value and historical significance of the gates, it was decided to return to the idea of ​​their restoration, and in 1966-1968, a copy of them was built on Kutuzovsky Prospekt near Poklonnaya Gora and the Battle of Borodino Panorama Museum.

The project was carried out under the guidance of architect-restorer Vladimir Libson by a group of architects (I.

Ruben, G. Vasilyeva, D. Kulchinsky). During the construction, drawings and measurements made during the dismantling of the gate, as well as the author's model of the structure, provided by the Museum of Architecture, were used.

Generally Triumphal Arch on Kutuzovsky Prospekt, it is an external copy of its predecessor, but with a number of design changes: instead of brick, reinforced concrete was used in the construction of walls, vaults and plinth, white stone was replaced with Crimean limestone, and it was decided not to restore the guardhouses and gratings. The surviving sculptures and design details were not used, and everything was cast from cast iron again. In addition, the texts on the attic were changed - instead of words about Emperor Alexander I, lines from the order of Mikhail Kutuzov to Russian soldiers and an excerpt from the inscription on the mortgage board of 1829 appeared there:

In 2012, the Triumphal Arch was restored in preparation for the celebrations on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Russian Victory in the Patriotic War of 1812.

The triumphal arch was placed in a public garden divided between oncoming traffic lanes of Kutuzovsky Prospekt. In 1975, in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, this square became known as Victory Square.

To date Triumphal Arch has become one of the recognizable symbols of Moscow: popular postcards and calendars adorn the views of the monument, the arch is depicted in the paintings of artists and a large number of souvenirs with its image are produced.

You can get to the Arc de Triomphe on foot from the metro station "Victory Park" Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line.

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Basic moments

The dimensions of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris are impressive and emphasize its grandeur. The architectural structure rises to 49.5 m, has a width of 44.8 m and a vault height of over 29 meters. Although more than 180 years have passed since its construction, the arch in the French capital remains the largest of all the triumphal arches in the world.

The famous monument stands in the historical center of the city, on the square named after Charles de Gaulle. From this place, 12 avenues are laid in different directions, the most famous of them is called the Champs Elysees. The triumphal arch can be seen from all sides, and all year round it is visited by many French and foreign tourists. The area around the monument can be considered a real place of pilgrimage, as the routes of almost all excursions in Paris are laid past it.

Through the Arc de Triomphe leads the "Triumphal Way", which is also called the "Royal Perspective". This is a series of buildings and historical monuments, stretched along one axis. It starts from the Louvre, continues through the Tuileries Gardens to Place de la Concorde, and then along the Champs Elysees leads to the arch. The Triumphant Way does not end here. It continues even further from the city center - through the Grand Army Boulevard to the Grand Arch of Defense. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris lies in the middle of the "Royal Perspective", and therefore it is perfectly visible from the buildings of the historic city center and the ultra-modern high-rise buildings of La Defense.

Construction of the Arc de Triomphe

In 1805, the army, led by Napoleon, won the "battle of the three emperors" at Austerlitz. The emperor really wanted to perpetuate the triumph of his soldiers, and ordered the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in the center of Paris.

Architects have prepared several designs for the monument. According to one of them, they planned to make a monument in the form of a huge elephant, in which a museum would be arranged, telling about the victories of the French troops. However, the emperor's attention was attracted by the project of Jean-Francois Chalgrin, the court architect of Napoleon I, who chose the famous single-span arch of Titus in Rome as the prototype of the Parisian monument.

The ancient monument appeared during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian, in 81 AD. The Arch of Titus stood on the ancient Sacred Way, southeast of the Roman Forum. The laconic, beautiful monument served as a prototype for many triumphal arches built in modern times.

As in the Roman arch, the monument in the capital of France was planned to be made with one expressive span and powerful supports. At the behest of Napoleon, Chalgrin designed a French arch three times the size of the ancient arch of Titus. The following year, work began on the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. And five years later, the elderly author of the monument died. This happened at a time when the arch was not completed by only 5 meters in height.

The construction of the Arc de Triomphe dragged on for a long three decades due to a series of military defeats of France. In 1806-1807, a foundation was laid under the massive monument. In 1810, the bride of the emperor, Marie Louise of Austria, arrived in the capital of France. In honor of her visit, the wooden scaffolding of the monument under construction was decorated with a harsh canvas, which depicted a finished arch. So Napoleon was able to see his dream in the form of a large life-size model. The architect Abel Blue had the opportunity to complete the construction work. In 1836, when the Arc de Triomphe was finally built, the emperor who conceived it was no longer alive.

Historical events near the arch

In 1840, the ruler of France, Louis-Philippe I, in order to please the Bonapartists, transported the ashes of Emperor Napoleon to his homeland from the place where he spent last years life. The remains were taken from the remote island of St. Helena, placed on a pompously decorated funeral cortege and carried with honors under the arches of the majestic Arc de Triomphe. Today, the ashes of Napoleon are in the building of the Les Invalides (Rue de Babylone, 70).

Since then, solemn funerals through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris have become a state tradition. Funeral corteges of the famous writer Victor Hugo, politicians Louis Adolphe Thiers, Lazare-Hippolyte Carnot, Patrice de MacMahon and Léon Michel Gambetta, army generals Ferdinand Foch, Joseph Joffre and Philippe Leclerc, as well as Marshal Jean de Latre de Tassigny passed under the famous monument .

In 1921, the remains of the Unknown Soldier, who gave his life during the recent war, were moved under the Parisian monument. And two years later, the Eternal Flame was installed here as a symbol of memory of all the inhabitants of France who did not return from the fields of the First World War.

Sculptural decoration

The solemnity of the Arc de Triomphe is determined not only by its large sizes, but also carefully executed decor - ornaments, bas-reliefs and sculptures. Two sculptural compositions face the city center (Champs Elysées). On the right is a dynamic work by the French master Francois Rude. It is dedicated to the performance of volunteers against the army of Prussia, which entered Lorraine in 1792, and is called "La Marseillaise". On the left side, the arch is decorated with a sculptural group made by Jean-Pierre Cortot. It is called the "Triumph of 1815". In the central part of this composition, the sculptor depicted the figure of Napoleon himself.

From the side of the Defense (Avenue de la Grande-Armée) there are two sculptures, the author of which is the famous French artist Antoine Etex. On the left you can see the "Peace of 1815", depicting the events of the Congress of Vienna. And on the right - the composition, dedicated to events French resistance in 1814.

Above the four sculptures, as well as on the sides of the Arc de Triomphe, there are 6 bas-reliefs with scenes of victories won by the French. From the side of Wagram Avenue there is an image of the battle near Austerlitz (1805), where the figures of Russian soldiers are visible. This bas-relief was created by Jean-Francois Theodor Gescher. And on the opposite side is the work of Carlo Marochetti. The bas-relief commemorates the battle near the town of Jemappe in Belgium, which took place between the French and the Austrians in 1792.

From the side of the city center, a bas-relief by Bernard Gabriel Serra or Serra the Elder is visible, on which the commander Ottoman Empire Said Mustafa Pasha is presented to Emperor Napoleon. These events took place after the French victory at the Battle of Cape Aboukir in Egypt (1799). And next to it is a bas-relief with a scene of the funeral of the French General Marceau, which happened in 1796.

From the side of the monument, facing the modern quarter of Defense, you can see the bas-reliefs that immortalized two famous battles: the battle of Arcola in Italy (1796) and the battle for the Egyptian Canob, which took place two years later.

In addition, the names of 128 battles in which the French army won, as well as the names of 660 military leaders, are written on the pillars of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The names of those who fell in battle are crossed out. The monument is surrounded by massive granite pedestals, which are connected by heavy cast-iron chains. They celebrate the hundred days when Napoleon ruled.

Arc de Triomphe today

Every year on July 14, a magnificent military parade ceremony is held near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Parisians and guests of the city lay wreaths and fresh flowers at the grave and the Memorial Flame. The President of the country and the remaining veterans take part in the celebration.

Inside the Parisian attraction, a museum of the same name is open, where you can learn about the history of its construction and the events that took place near the Arc de Triomphe. And at the top of the monument, an observation deck has been created, which is very popular with tourists. The attention that this observation point on the Chaillot hill attracts is not accidental. From here you have excellent views of the central part of the city and its suburbs. Having been at the top of the famous arch, one can understand why the path leading through it is called "Triumphal".

For tourists, the entrance to the observation deck and the museum exhibition is open seven days a week: from October to March from 10.00 to 22.30, and in other months - until 23.00.

How to get there

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris rises on the Place Charles de Gaulle. You can get to the monument from the Paris metro station Charles de Gaulle Etoile. In addition, many city buses run to the square.

What is the easiest and fastest way to get to the Arc de Triomphe from the center of Paris and from the main attractions. Metro stations, line crossings, buses.

In July 1836, three decades after the project had been approved by Napoleon himself, Paris celebrated the opening of the Arc de Triomphe (Fr. Arc de Triomphe). The building was erected on Charles de Gaulle Square (the former Etoile) and crowns the Champs Elysees. Through the place where the Arc de Triomphe rises today, there was a direct road from the Louvre to. True, strictly at this point it was necessary to turn left - onto Avenue Foch or Avenue Victor Hugo.

The road, called in those days the "Triumphal Way", exists to this day. It connects three iconic points: the Carruzel arch not far from, the Arc de Triomphe on Place de l'Etoile and the ultra-modern Grand Arch in La Defense. To admire the architectural wonder of the 20th century, guests of Paris go up to the panoramic platform. Quarter Défense from there - in full view! But the secrets "hidden" in the history of this architectural monument are not limited to this.

Below are 10 little known facts about the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. But first, let's analyze in detail how to get to it easier and faster.

Author's excursions in Paris

The most interesting excursions are routes from local residents to Tripster. It is interesting to start with (go through iconic places, outline routes for future walks). Then do not regret the whole day and go to. The guide will offer a choice of the castle of Josephine Bonaparte, Monte Cristo, the Marquise of Pompadour and many others.

Arc de Triomphe - how to get there

1. By subway

The easiest way to get to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is to use the metro. The nearest stations are George V(branch number 1) on the Champs Elysees, Kleber(branch number 6) and located closer to the La Defense quarter Argentina(branch number 1).

• Line 1 (Château de Vincennes - La Defense). One of the central lines of the Paris metro. It has intersections with the Louvre - Rivoli station.
• Line 6 (Charles de Gaulle Étoile - Trocadero). You can get along it to the Arc de Triomphe straight from.

The diagram shows Charles de Gaulle Square

A metro ticket in Paris costs 1.7 €. But it is always more profitable to ask at the box office for "en carnet de tik". And such a "carnet" consists of 10 tickets and costs 13.70 €.

2. With a tour

Double-decker sightseeing buses run around Paris, as in London, Berlin and now in Moscow. There are three routes in the capital of France: blue, green and red. You can tell them apart by the colored square on the windshield.

It makes several stops in the Arc de Triomphe area of ​​Paris. And since the ticket is valid for the whole day, you can get off at one of the stops (in this case, Georges V - 116 av. des Champs-Élysées or Kleber - 4, av Kléber), visit the viewing platform and return back. Wait for the next bus.

3. By bus

You can get to the Arc de Triomphe on one of the city buses. Next stop Charles de Gaulle - Etoile - Champs-Elysées. Route No. 73, N11, N24.

You can climb the Arc de Triomphe to admire the avenues. They radiate from Place de l'Etoile (translated from French as a star). A magnificent view also opens up on the "skyscrapers" of the modern La Defense quarter.

Ticket price 12 €, student ticket (from 18 to 25 years old) - 9 €, group ticket (from 20 people in a group) - 9 €. You can buy tickets online on the website. The price of tickets there coincides with the cost at the box office - the same 12 €. But it will be possible to go without a queue, using an electronic voucher without printing.

Official website of the Arc de Triomphe: www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr.

Opening hours of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris:

• in winter (from October 1 to March 31) - from 10-00 to 22-30;
• in summer (from April 1 to September 30) - 10-00 to 23-00.

The last visitors are allowed in 45-60 minutes before the observation deck closes, depending on the workload. With a large influx of tourists, the box office may close even earlier, and then there will be no opportunity to go upstairs. Days off: January 1, May 1, May 8 (morning), July 14, November 11 (morning) and December 25.

Sometimes it makes sense to order - a tourist map of Paris. With it, you can go to the observation deck of the Arc de Triomphe for free. Plus another 60 museums and architectural monuments. Plus free travel in zones 1, 2, 3 in Paris. But! Its cost is from 110 € per person (depending on the time of action - 2-6 days). You need to calculate whether you will master the intensive program in a few days and whether the investment will pay off.

Arc de Triomphe: 10 interesting facts

1. A giant elephant instead of an arch

Even before Napoleon, the French architect Charles Ribard proposed a three-level building in the form of an elephant, which could be reached by a spiral staircase leading to the elephant's entrails. Ribar was already ready to start construction, but the French government eventually rejected his project. Go find out.

2. Project in honor of the victory at Austerlitz

Arc de Triomphe in Place Charles de Gaulle

The project in the form of an arch was approved by Napoleon Bonaparte after the battle of Austerlitz in 1806. It took 30 years to build the Arch. Not surprisingly, the project was not an easy one. At the base of each of the four pillars of the Arch are sculptural compositions marking the four victories. On the top of the building are the main successes and achievements during the revolution and the reign of Bonaparte. Less important victories are marked on the inner walls, plus the names of 558 generals. Underlined names indicate that the general died in action.

3. Napoleon never saw the Arc de Triomphe

The arch was completed in 1836, when Napoleon Bonaparte had already been dead for 15 years. When the emperor married an Austrian princess, a wooden copy of the Arc de Triomphe was built for the couple so that the newlyweds could pass through it and enter into the already married couple. After the emperor's abdication in 1814, construction stopped and was resumed only in 1826. Almost 20 years after his death (in 1840), Napoleon finally passed through the completed arch when his body was transferred to its final resting place.

4. The second largest arch in the world

The triumphal arch of Paris is the second largest (height - 50 m, width - 45 m), and it was the largest in the world until 1982. It was then North Korea built her Arc de Triomphe, larger and more impressive.

5. Charles Godfroy and his flight under the arch

After the end of World War I, pilot Charles Godfroy made a breathtaking flight under the arch in a Nieuport fighter jet to honor the memory of all the dead pilots. These shots remained fixed on film.

6. An unknown soldier is buried under the arch

Eternal flame under the arch (Paris, France)

As in many countries, France also has a Tomb of a Nameless or Unknown Soldier. It has been located under the Arc de Triomphe since November 10, 1920. At the same time, Eternal flame as a symbol of memory of all the fallen.

7. The problem with the composition of "La Marseillaise"

It is said that on the day that the battle for Verdun (the main battle between and in the First World War) began in 1916, the sword fell off the figure representing the Republic. The sculpture was immediately covered with a tarpaulin to prevent the citizens from taking the broken sword of France as a bad omen.

8. Arc de Triomphe - a place of assassination attempts on the first persons

Charles de Gaulle was almost shot dead in the vicinity of the Arc de Triomphe during his presidency. However, being the first person of the state, he survived more than 30 assassination attempts, so it is unlikely that he was too scared. In 2002, Jacques Chirac was shot in the same place, and this time the shooter missed.

9 The Arch Witnessed French Defeats

Observation deck on the Arc de Triomphe

Although the building symbolizes the victories of France, in its lifetime it has also seen cruel defeats. In 1871, the Germans marched under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, it was the Franco-Prussian war. Seven decades later, the Nazis followed the same path during the occupation of the French capital by Nazi Germany.

10. "Washing" the arch is not an easy task.

Thoroughly washing the Arc de Triomphe is an extremely time-consuming process. The last "general cleaning" took place in 2011 - the first time in almost half a century.