Arc de Triomphe Paris

Photo Essays
Arc de Triomphe Paris

Photograph by Anmol Chowdhry – November 2, 2004

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The arch from the Champs Elysees side

In 1806, Napoleon I conceived of a triumphal arch patterned after those of ancient Rome and dedicated to the glory of his imperial armies. The structure was designed by Jean Francois Therese Chalgrin (1739-1811) and completed in 1836 during the reign of Louis Philippe. Its design marks it unmistakably as a product of late 18th-century romantic neoclassicism. This huge arch (164 feet high, 148 feet long and 72 feet wide) stands at the end of the Avenue des Champs Elysees and in the center of the Place de l'Etoile, formed by the intersection of 12 radiating streets.

At the bases of the Arc's pillars are four huge relief sculptures, commemorating The Triumph of 1810 (by Cortot); Resistance, and Peace (both by Etex); and The Departure of the Volunteers, more commonly known as La Marseillaise (by Francois Rude).

– Continued

This picture taken on November 2, 2004 shows the arch under major renovation.