Le Grand Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe, Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe is the largest monument of its kind in the world : 45 meters wide and 49 meters high.  Construction began in 1806 by order of Napoleon as a memorial to his victories.  When his empire fell in 1815 work stopped and only resumed by order of Louis XVIII 7 years later.  The sculptures and stone relief depict scenes of heroism from French history.  Each “tooth” in the serrated embellishment at the top of the arch is devoted to a triumph of Napoleon’s armies.  Interestingly, the sun sea exactly through the center of the arch on December 2, the anniversary of the Battle of Austerlitz (widely regarded as Napoleon’s greatest victory).

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Paris.

The Tomb of the Unknown soldier lies here.  There is a torch that is lit every night at 6:30 and burns through the darkness to recall the sacrifice of an unknown French soldier who gave his life during World War 1.