Not Just An Arch, But A Moving Memorial To French War Dead

Building on the Arc d'Triomphe (which strikes me as one of the coolest spelled names in the world) started in 1809.  It has been the scene of many major world events:

• Napoleon's 1840 funeral procession passed underneath;
• The German victory parade in 1871;
• The Victory Parade in July 1919 celebrating the end of World War I;
• A French aviator, Charles Godefroy flew his biplane under the arch;
• In 1940, the Nazis celebrated their victory in the Battle for France by goose-stepping past the Arc; 
• In August 1944, Charles de Gaulle led Allied troops under the arch as they celebrated the liberation of Paris, and, of course: 
• Glen Bolger in 2013 driving around the Arc d'Triomphe trying to find a way out of the roundabout, feeling like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's European Vacation.

We have never really been to the Arc d'Triomphe before, except for seeing it at a distance.  It's much more impressive than I had realized.  It's not just a victory arch to Napoleon's conquests, but a living memorial to French war dead since the 1800s.

It's 165 feet high, and there are 284 steps to ascend to the top.  We had thought about doing so, but one look at the line convinced us otherwise.  That said, the Museum Pass (our had expired) or advanced ticket purchasers could skip the line, but we hadn't really planned ahead.  

Even if you don't go to the top, wandering around the base and taking it all in is enough to make going there worthwhile.

After coming out of the Charles de Gaulle Etoile Metro stop, snap a picture.  Then continue a few feet to stairs leading underground.  That takes you under the world's largest roundabout to the world's largest arch.  You pop up safely without having to cross the road, which is surely an invitation to getting run over.

On the arch, there's a relief sculpture of Napoleon as a toga-clad emperor.  

John Belushi advertising toga parties

Napoleon quaffing

a beer at a toga

party.  (My first

AI generated art).

(Any future AI

on here will be

ID'd as such.

It won't happen

often).

The arch is replete with reliefs.  Inside the base of the arch there is a faded eagle, lists of French victories since the Revolution, a flower-lined Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (WWI), and plaques honoring different French military involvement, including French Indochina (aka Vietnam).  Thanks for nothing.

The Metro stop is named Charles de Gaulle Etoile.  The last word means "star," from the 12 boulevards that spread out from the Arc, part of Haussmann's plan for Paris.  The most famous of which is the Champs-Elysees.

Before we move on to that, I would highly recommend going to the Arc de Triomphe.  It's a neat, communal experience that provides added appreciation for the French military, and serves as a great way to honor what they've sacrificed.