Hotel Tilsitt Etoile suggests you to discover one of the most famous monuments in Paris: the Arc de Triomphe (arch of triumph), situated in the middle of Place de l’Etoile.
Napoleon I commissioned in 1806 the construction of an arch in order to commemorate the French armies of the Emperor.
The realization is entrusted to Jean-François Chalgrin who based the design on the Arch of Titus (in Roma) to build a monument much higher and bigger (approx. 50m high, 45m long and 22m wide).
The construction will end 30 years later under Louis-Philippe’s reign.
The Arc de Triomphe is adorned with some episodes of the French history:
Face situated in front of the avenue des Champs-Elysées
The triumph of 1810, by Jean-Pierre Cortot (sculpture situated below on the left).
The battle of Aboukir on July 25th 1799 (bas relief situated above)
The Departure of the Volunteers in 1792, also known as the Marseillaise, by François Rude (sculpture below on the right).
The burial of General Marceau on September 20th 1796 (bas relief situated above).
Face situated in front of the avenue de Wagram
The Battle of Austerlitz in 1805 (bas relief)
Face situated in front of the avenue de la Grande Armée
The Peace by Antoine Etex (sculpture situated below on the left)
The Fall of Alexandria (bas relief situated above)
The Resistance by Antoine Etex (sculpture below on the right)
The Battle of Arcole (bas relief situated above)
Face situated in front of the avenue Kléber
The Battle of Jemmapes on September 6th 1792
The internal faces of the arch refer to other battles of the Empire as well as to 558 generals who commanded French troops during Napoleon’s regime.
The arch also includes since 1921 the grave of the Unknown Soldier (dead during the First World War) with the flame of Memory which burns since November 11th 1923.
This flame is rekindled every evening.
Inside the Arc de Triomphe, you will find a museum which presents the history of the monument as well as its importance symbolic for the French.
The terrace situated 50m high offers an exceptional view over the avenue des Champs-Elysées and over Paris.
Arc de Triomphe
Place Charles de Gaulle
75008 Paris
Metro lines 1,2,6 / RER A station Charles de Gaulle – Etoile
Open
from April 1st to September 30th, 10AM to 11PM
from October 1st to March 31st,10AM to 11.30 PM
Last access 30 minutes before the closing
Closed
January 1st, May 1st, May 8th (morning), July 14th (morning), November 11th (morning), December 25th
Rates
Adults: 9 €
Concessions : 5,50 €
Free admission for minors under 18
