Arch de Triomphe in Paris

We hopped back on the Big Bus and 

headed towards the Arch de Triomphe!
We were on the famous 
Champs Elysees! Wow! 

Such incredible views... 

Every shop you can imagine is on 
the Champs Elysees! 
The colorful umbrellas were so 
eye-catching. I loved them! 

As we traveled along the Seine River 
I spied this lovey-dovey couple on 
a bench near a graceful weeping willow 
tree. So sweet. I had to share this with you.  
Finally there it is! 

The Arc de Triomphe sits in the center of 
Place Charles de Gaulle, 

on the Champs Elysee. 

Son & Dad excited to be at the Arc! 

Hubby & myself ready to see this famous 
monument. 

The Arc de Triomphe honors those 
who fought and died for France in 
the French Revolutionary and 
the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of 
all the French victories and generals 
inscribed on it's inner and outer surfaces. 

I was a bit worried about how people 
get across the hideously busy 
Place Charles de Gaulle to get to 
the Arc. Never fear... there's an 
underground tunnel to get you there! 

When we reached the surface we 
were amazed! It was so huge!! 

The monument stands 164 ft high and 
148 ft wide and 72 ft deep. 

Its design was inspired by the 
Roman Arch of Titus. 

The Arc de Triomphe is built on such 
a large scale that, three weeks after the 
Paris victory parade in 1919 (marking the 
end of hostilities in World War I), 
Charles Godefroy flew his Nieuport biplane 
though it, with the event captured on 
newsreel. Amazing!  

The architectural style is 
Neoclassicism. 

The Arc is located on the right bank of 
the Seine at the center of a dodecagonal 
configuration of twelve radiating avenues. 

It was commissioned in 1806 after the 
victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napoleon 
at the peak of his fortunes. 

Construction started in 1806 
and it was inaugurated in 1836.

The carvings and statues were 
breathtaking! 

My son talked me into going up to the 
top. Why not right? There's an elevator. 
So we purchased our tickets and entered 
to discover the elevator was not working!! 
Yikes! What now? 

The STEPS of course. Lots and lots of steps! 

 

When we got up to the top of the 
arc there was a huge room and in 
the center there was a surprise. 
Inside a railing was a window that 
looks down on the plaza below! 

You cannot see this window from 
down on the plaza. I'm not sure 
how it works but it's sooo cool! 

On display was a huge head 
of a statue. Very huge. 

Along with other normal statues... 

  and a beautiful lighted replica of the 
Arc de Triomphe in a glass case. 

And of course... more steps!

A total of 284 steps to be exact!! 
My son took a photo to commemorate 
my personal victory. LOL

I found the above photo though Wikipedia 
which is called 
"Collier's 1921 Vol 4 Frontispiece -- Paris" 
by U.S. Army Air Service - 
Collier's New Encyclopedia, 1921

It's such a great aerial visual of how the 
avenues flow from the Arc.  

In the distance you can see the modern 

downtown Paris buildings. 

The view above shows the 
Champs Elysees. 
It's a very busy road in Paris. 

And there she is... 

the pièce de résistance! 

My son was very proud of himself for 
snapping this clever photo... 
I loved it of course!
It's definitely my favorite hat!  

But after all that, 
this is what it was all about... 
the heros of war that sacrificed 
their lives for the freedom of France 
and other countries. 

At the base of the Arc de Triomphe 
stands a torch. Every evening at 6:30 P.M. 
it is rekindled, and veterans lay wreaths 
decorated with red, white, and blue near 
its flickering flame. It burns in the 
darkness to recall the sacrifice of an 
unknown French soldier who gave his 
life during World War I. 
(It burns now in memory of the 
unidentified soldiers killed in both 
World Wars.) 

The feeling was ominous. 
It brings me to tears every time I 
think about standing in such a 
sacred and solemn place. 
It was the same feeling I felt when 
I visited the Tomb of the Unknown 
Soldier in Washington D.C. 

It was such a privilege to visit this 
place of honor in France.   

Each plaque touched our hearts. 

The time came that we had to depart 
this wonderful piece of history. 

Back through the tunnel and back 
onto the Big Bus. 

And one last photo... 
we couldn't get enough of this 
wonderful place. 

Thanks for joining us for the 
Arc de Triomphe stop. 
There's lots more to share with 
you so please stay tuned. 
I want you to feel like you were 
right there with us!! 

Bisous & blessings, 
Edie & Marie

XOXO

We're joining Ivy & Elephants 
What's it Wednesday #183

Thanks girls! 

We're also joining Share Your Cup 
Thursday #165 with 
Mrs Olson

Thanks Jann!