Arc de Triomphe

Paris · history · monuments

Honors brave soldiers. The Arc de Triomphe was built to celebrate French soldiers and generals who fought in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It's one of the most famous monuments in the whole world.

Star-shaped streets. The monument sits in the middle of a special plaza where twelve wide avenues meet, creating a perfect star shape when viewed from above. That's why the place is called Place de l'Étoile, which means 'Place of the Star' in French.

Eternal flame burns. Underneath the giant arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I, with a flame that never stops burning. This flame remembers all the soldiers whose names we will never know.

Names carved in stone. The inside and outside of the arch are covered with the names of French victories and famous generals engraved right into the stone. Walking under it feels like walking through French history.

End of famous avenue. The Arc de Triomphe stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, Paris's most spectacular street. It's the perfect spot to end one of the most beautiful walks in the city.