Arc de Triomphe: France

The arch was commissioned by Napoleon as a tribute to the French army. The original architect was Chalgrin; after his death, the work was continued by Joust (or Goust) from 1811-14 until it stopped after the defeat of Napoleon. In 1833 work was begun again. The name of Blouet, who had the honor of completing the monument, is engraved on it.

The inscription (translated) reads: “This monument which was begun in 1806 to honour the great army, was left unfinished for many years, was continued in 1823 with a new purpose, and was completed in 1836 in the reign of King Louis-Philippe I who dedicated it to the glory of France’s armed forces. G. A. Blouet, architect” (Dillange 7). Completed under the new king Louis-Philippe and his minister of the interior, Adolphe Thiers, the arch was a way of illustrating the new government’s efforts at national unity and reconciliation.

The arch from the Neuilly side

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. Although it is much larger, the arch derives from Roman examples. (See, for example, the Arch of Titus.)

The arch from the Champs Elysees side

The structure consists of a simple arch with a vaulted passageway (98 feet high and 49 feet wide) topped by an attic.