Visiting the Arc de Triomphe.
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Around the Arc de Triomphe is the Place Charles de Gaulle. This is a huge roundabout.This used to be known as the "Place de L'Étoile", or "Star". From this roundabout, twelve avenues reach into the distance, forming an elegant twelve pointed "star". The picture is taken from the top of the Arc de Triomphe and shows two of these avenues. |
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| To reach the Arch, you need to take the subway passage under the roundabout. The roundabout has the reputation of being one of the most difficult to navigate in France because of the traffic. Insurance companies refuse to insure cars when they use this roundabout. |  |
| The Arc De Triomphe has sculptures and decorations all around it, on the sides, below the platform, and front and back. |  |
| These are the sculptures from the very top part of the Arc de Triomphe. |
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| One sculpture (above) shows the departure of all the volunteers to fight the invading Prussians. This runs all the way around the top of the Arch. | |
The rest illustrate scenes from Napoleon's most famous battles. Most feature the woman called "Marianne" who represents the spirit of France. These sculptures are very much bigger than life size and the artists' work is looked upon as a masterpiece. If you want to climb to the top, you have to purchase a ticket. Everyone stops to pay respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. |
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| The Arc de Triomphe is at the end of the best known road in Paris - the AVENUE DES CHAMPS ELYSÉES. This is a very popular place for tourists. They like to stroll down its wide footpaths under the shade of the trees. There are pavement cafés, where you may eat and drink. There is also a McDonald's - which is very popular with the French. |  |
Page last updated 18 February 2005. |
