The city of Paris holds one of the greatest arches in history: The Arc de Triomphe. The Arc de Triomphe is located in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, and it honors those who died for France during the French and Napoleonic Wars. In 1806, Napoleon commissioned the arch to commemorate his victories and the Grande Armee. The Grande Armee had conquered most of Europe and was considered invincible at the time. Unfortunately, the arch was not completed during Napoleon's lifetime. In fact, the arch was not completed until the reign of Louis Philippe in 1836.
Jean Chalgrin designed the arch after the Arch of Titus in Rome. Even though the Arch de Triomphe and the Arch of Titus have the same proportions, the Arc de Triomphe is much higher. Above many of the sculpted friezes of soldiers are 30 shields engraved with the names of major Napoleonic and Revolutionary military victories.
During World War I, many soldiers died without their bodies being identified. Beneath the arc is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The body was buried there on Armistice Day in 1920. He represents the millions of French soldiers who died during World War One. His body lies under the arch in memory of all of those who were never identified.
On the top of the arch is a wonderful platform for viewing.
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