Triumphal Arch. Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris, France Arch on the Champs Elysees in Paris

And now we have come to the Arc de Triomphe (l’Arc de triomphe) on the Square of the Stars (la place de l’Étoile). This square has another name - Charles de Gaulle Square (la pace Charles de Gaulle). She has been wearing it since 1970, when the national hero of France, the leader of the French Resistance to the Nazis, the founder of the Fifth Republic, General de Gaulle, passed away.

It was not for nothing that the area with a diameter of a quarter of a kilometer received the name of the Star at one time: twelve rays-streets diverge from it in all directions. Let's watch together. These are, firstly, of course, the Champs Elysees, behind the Arc de Triomphe, continuing to the north-west with the Avenue of the Grand Army, and also the avenues of Jena, Friedland and Wagram, named in honor of Napoleon's victories. Other avenues bear the names of military leaders - Osha, Foch, Kleber, Marceau, Carnot. One is reminiscent of the great writer Victor Hugo and another is named after Patrice de MacMahon, who served as President of France from 1873 to 1879. Coming from Irish aristocrats, we are interested in him as a military leader who took the Malakhov Kurgan of Sevastopol in 1855, during the Crimean War, and suppressed the Paris Commune in 1871.

Story. Thirty years of waiting for glory

The largest in the world - 50 meters high, 45 meters wide with a vault height of 30 meters - the Arc de Triomphe became the embodiment of the ambitious plans of Napoleon Bonaparte. The self-proclaimed, as they would say now, monarch, who in 19 years grew from junior lieutenants to emperors, made many campaigns with his soldiers and officers, won dozens of battles. Naturally, he wanted to immortalize the exploits of his Great Army.

You and I have already seen the triumphal arch on Place Carrousel near the Louvre, erected on his orders. But its scale (only 19 meters high) seemed humiliatingly modest to Bonaparte for his military genius. And then he ordered another arch, much more majestic, to be built on the same historical axis of Paris, which now runs from the Louvre to the Défense district. Then it ended at Chaillot Hill. In 1806, after the victory at Austerlitz, Napoleon chose this hill as the site for a monument to his soldiers. Well, for myself too. The designer was appointed 67-year-old Jean-François Chalgrin, a famous neoclassical architect.

Construction did not move quickly. The foundation of the gigantic structure alone took two years. In 1811, without completing the construction, Chalgrin died. And then Napoleon’s military fortune began to change too often: what a monument to triumph is this when, after fleeing from devastated Moscow, the emperor himself said: “There is no more Grand Army”! And when the Russian troops, having taken Paris on March 30, 1814, set up their bivouac on the Champs Elysees, right next to the triumphal unfinished building, they decided to abandon the arch in honor of the victories of French weapons.

Only King Louis-Philippe I, who reigned in 1830, returned to the forgotten glory of his predecessor on the French throne. And only in 1836, thirty years after work began on the Arc de Triomphe, it was finally completed.

How to get there

The Arc de Triomphe is impossible to miss if you go to the north-west of the French capital: a large letter “P” will peek out from behind every building and loom at the end of each of the twelve avenues converging near it. In short, don't get lost.

There are several bus routes near the arch: 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92.

Getting there by metro is even easier - to the Charles de Gaulle - Étoile station. There is no way we can cross the square to the arch on foot; it’s not even worth trying, because there are no ground pedestrian crossings with zebra crossings here. They would simply paralyze the continuous movement through this most important transport hub in Paris. Therefore, you and I will have to go down into one of the underground passages.

Addresses and authors of triumphs

Having entered the arches of the Arc de Triomphe, we will first approach the Eternal Flame at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, who died in one of the battles of the First World War. The grave, located right at the pavement level, appeared here in 1921 (pictured below). And when you look up, you will see two huge panels mounted under the arch - the state tricolor of France and the star flag of the European Union.

Well, now you can admire six bas-reliefs and four high reliefs telling about the “stages of the long journey” of Napoleonic army. You and I have known what a bas-relief is since childhood, but high relief (haut-relief) comes across less often - these are sculptures that seem to come out of the wall.

The most famous of the four high reliefs is “La Marseillaise” by François Rude. What is the sculptor trying to tell us?

When the Prussian army invaded Lorraine in 1792 (disputes over this province between France and Germany had not subsided for centuries), volunteers, overwhelmed by revolutionary enthusiasm, went into battle. Including the Marseille Volunteer Battalion. For him, in just one night, military engineer Joseph Rouget de Lisle wrote his march, which soon became extremely popular and was called “La Marseillaise,” that is, a song from Marseille.

After just a year and a half, “La Marseillaise”, by decision of the Convention, became the anthem of France and remains so to this day. You won’t believe it: between the February and October revolutions of 1917, it was also the anthem of Russia!

On another high relief - “Triumph of 1810” by Jean-Pierre Cortot - we see Napoleon himself, crowned with the glory of victories over Austria and Prussia.

Another one is called "Resistance of 1814", sculptor Antoine Etex. Bonaparte resisted, as you understand, the anti-French coalition led by Russia.

And, finally, the composition “Peace of 1815” (pictured below) by the same author: the emperor has already abdicated, the war is over, so in the high relief the warrior sheaths his sword, the peasant touches the plow, the mother caresses the child, the boy “pokes his finger in the book” ", the place of the war horse was taken by a fat calf - a symbol of, if not wealth, then prosperity. And above all this peace is Athena, the goddess of both war and wisdom.

The names of 558 generals and marshals of the Great Army are carved on the four pylons - the supports of the arch, and next to them are the names of 128 places of its victorious battles. On the eastern pylon of the arch you can find our Russian cities and villages. Those where Napoleon, in his opinion, won victories: Mogilev, Valutina Gora (the conquerors were not very good at spelling our geographical names, so there is a certain “Valontina” on the arch), Polotsk, Krasnoe (to be honest, “Krasnoï” is written there – as we hear in Russian, we write in French). But Borodin is not on the eastern pylon. It turns out that even Bonaparte’s loyal subjects, not to mention ordinary subjects, did not recognize the victory of their emperor in the Battle of Borodino.

Probably everyone remembers the famous hundred days of Napoleon: on February 25, 1815, the deposed emperor escaped from an honorable exile on the island of Elba off the coast of his native Corsica in order to regain power, on March 1 he landed with the remaining troops loyal to him on the Cote d'Azur, and entered Paris... But he lasted only a hundred days in power. This time he was sent with less honor to far away - to the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. The hundred stone pedestals connected by a chain surrounding the Arc de Triomphe are reminiscent of the unsuccessful attempt to restore the empire. One for each day of the unsuccessful and meaningless Napoleonic return.

The arch saw a new great triumph of French weapons only a century after the defeat of Napoleon. In honor of Bastille Day on July 14, 1919, for the first time since the end of the World War of 1914–1918, a military parade marched under the Arc de Triomphe: infantrymen, cavalry, cars and even tanks. But the aviators were not invited to the parade. And then the pilot Charles Godefroy decided to take revenge for all his comrades. He famously flew on August 9 in his plane under the arches, and journalists were able to film his feat. Take a look at the photo. Oh, what a scandal it was!..

And, of course, it is impossible to forget about the parade on the Champs Elysees in honor of the liberation of Paris from the Nazis, which was hosted by the leader of Fighting France, General de Gaulle, on August 26, 1944.

And now here, on the Champs Elysees and on Place des Stars, military parades are held - July 14, Bastille Day, the anniversary of the Great French Revolution. And on May 8, Victory Day, and November 11, the Day of the End of the First World War, state leaders lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Like birds over Paris

You can climb the Arc de Triomphe to take a look at the beautiful complex of exquisite mansions surrounding Place Charles de Gaulle, and just admire the view of a good half of Paris.

You will be able to climb the arch only if you overcome the 284 steps of one of the two spiral staircases (the elevator is now, in December 2015, under repair, and it is not yet known for how long). The observation deck is open from April 1 to September 30 - from 10.00 to 23.00, from October 1 to March 31 - from 10.00 to 22.30. The last visitors are allowed in 45 minutes before closing. No visits on holidays: January 1, May 1, May 8 (but only before lunch), July 14 (before lunch), November 11 (before lunch) and December 25.

A ticket to the top of the arch costs 9.5 euros, however, as part of a group you will pay only 7.5 euros. I think your tour operator will gather the appropriate number of people interested. Children and teenagers under 18 years of age have free entry if they come with their parents and not as part of a group of schoolchildren.

But there is one “but”: the official website of the national monuments of France insists on mandatory reservation of tickets – “at least a month in advance”. Therefore, ask your travel company in advance to take care of your opportunity to see the Champs Elysees from a bird's eye view. Or do it yourself on the Arc de Triomphe website .

Well, let's move on. Where do you want to go? What to see? Of course, in the capital of France you can (and should!) watch everything at every turn, but since you’re asking... So be it, let’s go to. You don’t even need to look for her - there she is, hovering over the roofs of Paris.

The reign of the Roman Empire left behind many discoveries, traditions, and architectural landmarks. Among them, an invaluable reward stands out for commanders who won a quick victory with minimal losses, called a triumphal procession. The famous Gaius Julius Caesar was named great emperor after entering Rome in triumph under a special triumphal arch. Since then, majestic buildings began to appear in different places on the planet.

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The construction of the symbol of Paris as an architectural monument, the Arc de Triomphe, was conceived by the Emperor of France Napoleon. She was required to perpetuate the victory of the man who remade the map of the entire Old World. The construction of the structure took 30 long years. Napoleon and the architects Chalgrin and Abel Blouse did not see its completion. But the majestic structure preserved these names for posterity.

It is located in the center of the famous Place Charles de Gaulle. The life story of the great commander of the Second World War can be heard during excursions, standing next to the ceremonial building. Other names for the place are Place de l'Etoile, "Place of the Stars". In different directions from the square, as if from the Arc de Triomphe, 12 avenues diverge in strict rays.

Each of them is considered a landmark of the city. It seems that the arch still invites strong people, not only soldiers of Napoleon’s army, but also those known for their achievements in various directions, to celebrate their victory and triumph here.

Napoleon's order to begin construction of the Arc de Triomphe began to be implemented after the Battle of Austerlitz. The site for the future landmark of Paris was initially chosen to be a section of Rue Antoine. The walls of the gloomy Bastille used to stand here. However, the building could complicate traffic, and the construction site was moved to the ancient star-shaped crossroads of Chaillot and Ternes. In former times, by order of Pompadour's brother, the Marquis de Marigny completely removed the soil from the high hill, opening a direct passage to the Champs-Elysees.

The place has become a favorite place for walking among residents. The triumphal arch complemented the magnificent view from the imperial palace of Tuileries, located on top of the Chaillot hill. The front facade of the building is directed towards the palace, welcoming the passing emperor. The first foundation stone was laid on August 15, the emperor's birthday. The basis of the construction project was the Arch of Constantine in Rome. The architect increased its size, making the structure the largest of the existing Arc de Triomphe.

Construction of the foundation took about two years. An interesting event happened at this time. It is associated with Marie Louise's passage along the Champs Elysees in Paris. On the finished foundation, decorations in the shape of the Arc de Triomphe were quickly erected from wood and fabrics. Only in 1836, under the reign of Louis Philippe, the construction was completed. The walls of the arch are decorated with an interesting ensemble of bas-reliefs associated with the events of the victories of Emperor Napoleon, whose ashes have rested on the Pacific island of St. Helena since 1821.

The coffin with the body of the emperor passed in a funeral cortege under the arches of the architectural creation he created in December 1840. The Parisian landmark became the site of the farewell procession of the country's great people, for example, Victor Hugo, Lazare Carnot, etc. Unfortunately, the fascist army of the evil dictator Hitler demonstratively marched under it during the Second World War.

Description

The height of the arch is almost 50 m, the width is about 45 m, the height of the arch reaches 29.19 m. Sculptures of beautiful women with wings blowing fanfare symbolize the triumph of the winners passing under the Arc de Triomphe of Paris. The architectural structure is decorated with interesting sculptural groups:

  • In the direction of the Champs Elysees. The bas-relief “Triumph of 1810” or “Apothesis of Napoleon” dedicated to the signing of the Treaty of Vienna is memorable. The names of 558 generals of Napoleon's army who took part in important battles are stamped here. The bas-reliefs “The Battle of Austerlitz”, “The Capture of Alesandria”, “The Battle of Aboukir”, “Resistance to the Invasion of 1814”, “Arcole Bridge”, “Marseillaise” are directly related to Napoleon’s victories. The central part of Francois Rude's work is occupied by the figure of a strong, beautiful Amazon, calling her people to battle.
  • Direction to Grand Armais Avenue. Sculptural groups of bas-reliefs “Battle of Arcola”, “Battle of Kanob”, names of 128 battles.
  • 100 granite pedestals, which are connected by massive cast iron chains and surround the arch. This is the number of days that made up Napoleon's reign.

Inside the building there is a museum, with artifacts in the form of photographs, documents, printed publications telling about the history of creation, characteristics of all the events that took place here. Under the arched vaults there is a grave with the ashes of the Unknown Soldier, who participated in the battles of the First World War.

Arc de Triomphe now

Currently, the landmark is still a symbol of French military power. Underneath you can hear the military music of parades with tanks, modern weapons, taking place during special events, for example, on Bastille Day. At this time, the national flag of the country flutters victoriously over its walls. Every day at 6:30 p.m., a moving ceremony takes place here when war veterans light the memorial flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Observation deck

Only 280 steps leading to the observation deck, organized at the top of the architectural structure, will be easy, simple, remembering the beautiful view obtained from it. Especially if you overcome them at dusk. The last rays of the setting sun illuminate the surroundings, playing on the marble walls of adjacent landmarks with an extraordinary light. A night trip along the illuminated arch allows you to take amazing pictures of the sparkling lights of the buildings of Paris, the Eiffel Tower stretching beyond the horizon, and the beautiful avenues of the city.

Where is it and how to get there

You can get to Star Square by bus or metro. You need to get off at the stop Place Charles de Gaulle. You can visit the arch daily from April to the end of October from 10 am to 11 pm. During the period October-March, the opening hours of the attraction last from 10 to 22.30 hours. The entrance ticket price is 8€, reduced price is 5€.

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 most famous and is a historical and architectural monument of the world. This is due to the history of the creation of this attraction.

The Arc de Triomphe 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 the model.

The Parisian 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 be defeated more often in his battles.

Therefore, the construction of the arch was significantly delayed; even the emperor himself was not able to 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 - on 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 stands on a par with another famous landmark of Paris - the Eiffel Tower. Arriving tourists first head to these two wonderful architectural monuments.

As for visiting, 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 observation deck inside the arch, you just 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 Place Charles de Gaulle (Stars).

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris was built in 1806-1836 by the architect Jean Chalgrin by order of Napoleon in honor of the victories of his “Great Army”.

History of construction

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

Napoleon did not live to see the construction of the Arc de Triomphe completed: 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. is 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 Champs Elysees - "Marseillaise" sc. Ryuda (right) and "Triumph 1810" sk. Corto;
  • from the Avenue de la Grande-Arme - “Resistance” (right) and “Peace” sc. Etexa.

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

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 military leaders.

  • 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 Invalides, the carriage with the ashes of the emperor solemnly passed under the Arc de Triomphe.
  • In 1916, during the First World War, France was plagued by misfortunes, and just at that time the sword on the Marseillaise sculptural group was deflected.
  • On August 17, 1919, pilot Charles Godefroy flew through the arch in a Nieuport II aircraft with a wingspan of ~8 meters.
  • On January 28, 1921, the remains of an unknown soldier who died during the First World War were buried under the Arc de Triomphe. The inscription on the grave reads: “Here lies a French soldier who gave his life for his homeland, 1914 - 1918.”

Visit to the arch

The Arc de Triomphe can be visited on a guided tour - there is an observation deck at the top, which can be reached by 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 lines 1, 2 and 6 or RER high-speed train, 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

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is a symbol of greatness and glory

The Arc de Triomphe, along with the Louvre, Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral and others, is one of the most famous symbols of Paris. This monumental structure 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 figure of historical significance, Emperor Napoleon I. What suddenly prompted 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 of the world, seeing it and... dying, as the writer, poet and publicist Ilya Erenburg 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 Russian-Austrian coalition forces. This battle went down in history as the “battle of 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, Napoleon's army gained the upper hand, and the inspired Bonaparte decided to erect the Arc de Triomphe in honor of the victory in this battle. Well, and at the same time glorify all your military successes. It was decided to choose Chaillot Hill as its location.

Several projects for the future monument were put on the emperor’s table. Very different. There was even one according to which the arch should have looked 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). They even decided to make the arched span and columns identical.

The epoch-making construction lasted exactly thirty years. The then famous architect Jean Chalgrin took up the matter. It took no less than two years to build the foundation alone. In 1810, a model of the future arch was erected on a ready-made foundation, hastily constructed from boards and rough canvas (canvas), which was decorated with decorations for the future arch. The haste was explained by the fact that the ceremonial entry into Paris of the new Empress Marie-Louise of Austria was expected - and along the Champs-Elysees. She had to see the scale of her august husband’s idea. Napoleon himself also appreciated the construction; looking at the realistic model, he could imagine what the monument would be like.

A year later, architect J.

Chalgrin died. Only some 5 meters were not enough for the arch to reach its designed height. But no one seemed to care about this anymore. Valiant victories were replaced by a series of military failures (the defeat near Moscow in 1812 alone is worth it) and it was decided to stop the work. Napoleon himself is also his own 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. At that time, the French throne was occupied by Louis Philippe I. The completion of the work was supervised 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 extends 49.51 meters in height, 44.82 meters in width, and 29.19 meters in vault height. If you look at the corners under the arched doorway, you can see bas-reliefs depicting maidens with wings blowing a fanfare. They symbolize the glory of military victories. These allegories were embodied in stone by the sculptor Jean-Jacques Pradier.

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 military history of Napoleonic times. If you look at the arch from the Champs-Elysees, you will see the sculptural group “Triumph of 1810” (author - sculptor Cortot). It is dedicated to the conclusion of the peace treaty in Vienna in 1815. On the right you can see “Volunteer Performance”. The sculptor Ryud dedicated this composition, also known as “Marseillaise,” to the campaign against the Prussian troops who captured Lorraine in 1792.

Now we look from the Avenue de la Grande-Arme. On the right is the work of the sculptor Antoine Etex “The Resistance of 1814”, symbolizing the difficult and unambiguous period in the history of France, when allied troops entered Paris and Napoleon was forced to abdicate the throne.

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

The arch is also decorated with bas-reliefs. They were located on its four 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 Champs Elysees. On the left we see a plot of how Bonaparte was presented with the Ottoman commander Said Mustafa Pasha, captured during the Battle of Aboukir in July 1799 (author - sculptor Serre the Elder). On the right side is the bas-relief “Funeral of General Marceau, September 20, 1796,” the name of which speaks for itself (authorship belongs to the sculptor Lamer).

Now let's look from the side of the Avenue de la Grande-Arme, already known to us. “The Battle of Arcola, November 15, 1796” was embodied in stone by the sculptor Feucher, and the “Battle of Kanob in Egypt, July 3, 1798” was embodied in stone by his colleague Jean-Etienne Chaponier. Let's also name the side bas-reliefs: “The Battle of Jemappe, November 6, 1792” (by Carlo Marochetti) and “The Battle of Austerlitz, December 2, 1805” (the work of the sculptor Geschter). But that is not all. On the walls of the Arc de Triomphe are engraved the names of 558 prominent military leaders of France and the names of 128 battles that were won at different times 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, he did not rule for long this time, until June 20 of the same year. This period was called “one hundred days” in history. In honor of this triumphant return, 100 granite pedestals were placed around the arch, which were connected to each other with 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, and without dedication to the military victories of Bonaparte, intended. This museum is dedicated exclusively to the history of the construction of the monument and the ceremonies that took place under it. So, on December 15, 1840, Napoleon’s ashes were carried under the Arc de Triomphe (the funeral cortege brought him from St. Helena). Then it became a tradition and under the arches, with a mandatory stop, mourning ceremonies were held on the occasion of the funerals of such famous people as Victor Hugo, Thiers, Lazare 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 twentieth 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 here, they say, but there are a lot of people. But in the mornings it is not so crowded. For now, we’ll take their word for it, and when we get to Paris, we’ll see for ourselves.
  • In addition to the Triumphal Arch, there are two more arches in Paris. These are the Arch of Carrousel near the Louvre and the Grand Arch in the modern La Défense business district. All three buildings form a kind of “axis” passing through the so-called Triumphal Way - a straight road that, since the reign of Louis XIV, connected the Louvre Palace with Place de l'Etoile.

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Triumphal Arch - restored monument: it was originally erected in 1829-1834 according to the project Osipa 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 Gora.

Triumphal Arch at Tverskaya Zastava

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

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

The triumphal gate according to Beauvais’ new design was built in 1829-1834, with a bronze foundation slab and a handful of silver rubles “for good luck” laid at the base - which, by the way, did not help at all: construction was delayed for 5 years due to lack of funds.

The sculptural design of the arch was made by sculptors Ivan Vitali And Ivan Timofeev, who worked from Beauvais' drawings. The columns and sculptures were cast from cast iron, and the gate itself was erected from white stone from the village of Tartarovo (“Tartarov marble”) and stone from the dismantled Samotechny Canal.

On the attic of the gate there was an inscription (in Russian and Latin on 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 to reconstruct the square. Initially, they were planned to be restored near their original location, so during dismantling they took careful measurements and preserved some sculptural and architectural elements, 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 gate, it was decided to return to the idea of ​​restoring it, and in 1966-1968 a copy of it was built on Kutuzovsky Prospekt near Poklonnaya Gora and the Battle of Borodino Panorama Museum.

The project was carried out under the leadership of the 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 were used, as well as the author’s model of the structure provided by the Museum of Architecture.

Generally Triumphal Arch on Kutuzovsky Prospekt 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 the walls, vaults and basement, the 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 anew. In addition, the texts on the attic were changed - instead of words about Emperor Alexander I, lines from Mikhail Kutuzov’s order to Russian soldiers and an excerpt from the inscription on the mortgage board of 1829 appeared there:

In 2012, the Arc de Triomphe was restored in preparation for the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Russian Victory in the Patriotic War of 1812.

The Arc de Triomphe was placed in a park divided between oncoming lanes of Kutuzovsky Prospekt. In 1975, in honor of the 30th anniversary of 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: views of the monument are decorated with popular postcards and calendars, the arch is depicted in artists’ paintings 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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The Arc de Triomphe is a key symbol in French history. It is located on the Place de l'Etoile, overlooking the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Paris' Arc de Triomphe is the largest in the world. Every year this amazing place is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world. It attracts with its grandeur, luxury and uniqueness.

A little history

The idea of ​​construction arose the day after the Battle of Austerlitz. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris was built between 1806 and 1836 under the direction of the architect Jean Chalgrin at the direction of Napoleon. The foundation was built over the course of two years.

The foundation of this structure was completed at the time of his marriage to the Austrian Archduchess Marie-Louise in 1810, in honor of her ceremonial entry into Paris.

Construction was completed after Bonaparte's death.

The basic structure of the monument was completed in 1831, and all work was completed in 1836 during the reign of King Louis Philippe, who officially opened it on July 29.

The facade of the structure consists of figures, curls and bas-reliefs.

Despite numerous modifications since its construction, reflecting political changes and power struggles, today it retains the essence of the original concept and is a powerful unified ensemble.

The structure rises in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as "Etoile". It is located in the western part of the Champs Elysees.

Design ideas

When constructing the arch, the neoclassical style was taken as a basis, inspired in part by the Arch of Titus in the Roman Forum. Decorative sculptures in high relief depicting the celebration of the military victories of the Revolution and the First Empire are executed on the four pedestals of the arch façade.

An annual ceremony is held near the Arc de Triomphe to mark the anniversary of the 1918 Armistice that ended the First World War.

The finale of the Tour de France takes place under the towering Arc de Triomphe.

In 1810, Napoleon entered the city with his bride, Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria. For this purpose, a wooden model of the structure was built to demonstrate the appearance of the finished monument.

The last path of the remains of Napoleon and Victor Hugo passed in this place.

In 1919, French pilot Charles Godefroy flew his plane under the arch, earning himself worldwide popularity.

Getting to know the Arc de Triomphe

This unique work of art can be admired from below, standing on the ground, or climbed to its upper part by stairs.

Place de la République in Paris

Climbing up to the panoramic terrace offers a wonderful view of the city. This is the best place to admire the tight geometry of the urban plan of Paris, invented by Napoleon III's prefect Baron Georges-Eugene Hausmann, who erased the city's medieval slums by creating wide city boulevards. They were decorated with rows of neatly trimmed plane trees, enhancing the effectiveness and uniqueness of the streets.

From the top you have a superb view of the Champs Elysees towards the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. There is no better way to appreciate how majestic and impressive this street is, from above! From here you can also see the Eiffel Tower in all its glory.

There is constant movement around the arch, because the flow of tourists never stops here.

There is an underground tunnel on the Avenue de la Grande Armee side, which can be accessed via the metro with an exit at Wagram station.

Inside this unique monument there is a museum of the same name with interactive exhibits on the history of the arch.

The permanent exhibition "Great Moments in French History" uses interactive screens to interact with visitors and recreate historical events and moments. She traces the history of the Arc de Triomphe and other examples of similar structures around the world, highlighting architectural features and explaining the friezes and sculptures adorning the columns.

The final part of the visit to the Arc de Triomphe of Paris is at an altitude of 50 meters, where the terrace offers an impressive panoramic view of Paris and the Champs-Elysees, both day and night.

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is a landmark of the French capital, located on Place Charles de Gaulle. This is a unique monument of history and architecture, which every schoolchild knows about today. Excursions in Paris almost always include a visit to this French landmark.

The square itself has a star-shaped appearance (in French it is called La Place de l’Étoile - Square of the Star) - all thanks to the twelve streets that radiate from it.

Story

The Parisian Arc de Triomphe took thirty years to complete. The decision to build it was made by the French conqueror Napoleon Bonaparte. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris was built in honor of the great victories of the emperor. The monument was designed by architect Jean Chalgrin. He died almost immediately after laying the foundation.

Work was constantly suspended as Bonaparte began to suffer defeats in battles. That is why it took so long to build. However, Napoleon himself did not live to see the completion of the work - in 1836, at the time of the opening of the arch, the country was ruled by Louis Philippe.

But the great emperor’s dream of triumph nevertheless came true - in 1840, a coffin with the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte, who died in 1821, was carried under the arch.

Peculiarities

The Arc de Triomphe was erected at the end of the Champs Elysees and is located on a slight hill. Its facades face the fields descending to the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. On the other side is Avenue Grande Armée.

The arch has a U-shape and one central opening. There are two more openings on both sides. The top of the Arc de Triomphe is crowned with a five-meter frieze, the bas-reliefs of which tell about the great victories of the French army. There is an observation deck at the top.

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the key elements of the French Historical Axis, which consists of historical monuments, buildings and streets that are located on the same axis (from the Louvre to the Grande Arc de la Défense). Another name for the axis is the Triumphal Route.

Arc de Triomphe today

The history of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is rich in colorful events, but even today it is a majestic structure, reaching a height of almost fifty meters. The famous architectural monument is made in antique style.

Beautiful maidens with wings blowing fanfare are a symbol of glory and triumph. Also on the arch you can see the sculpture “Marseillaise”, which expresses the protest of volunteers against the Prussian army that captured Lorraine.

Other decorations include the sculpture “Triumph of 1810” by Cortot, dedicated to the signing of the Peace of Vienna, and the sculptures “Peace” and “Resistance” by Etex, a little-known French architect.

On the walls of one of the most famous Arc de Triomphe in the world you can see the names of bloody battles in which France was victorious at different times. The names of the great French commanders are also present here.

Around the arch there are one hundred pedestals connected by heavy chains. Durable cast iron was used for their manufacture. These pedestals are not just decoration, but a symbol of the hundred days of Napoleon Bonaparte's reign.

Arc de Triomphe and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Inside the arch there is a small museum: in it you can study the history of the construction of the structure and learn all about the triumphal processions that took place under the Arch. Every visitor can go up – the view from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is amazing.

The grave under the arches of the structure deserves special attention. In 1912, an ordinary soldier who died during the First World War was buried there - his name remains unknown.

How to get there

The best way to get to the arch is through underground passages, as the flow of cars is endless even at night. The Arc de Triomphe can be reached by bus or metro from Charles de Gaulle - Etoile station. The architectural monument is open every day from 10 am to 11 pm. Entry fee is 10 euros. Any tourist who comes to Paris must go to the Arc de Triomphe in France, because it attracts people like a magnet. This place, like a mirror, reflects the events that took place in the country from the beginning of the 19th century to the present day.

 

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