Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is a huge monument in Paris, France. The great structure was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 to commemorate the French victory in the Battle of Austerlitz. Architect Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin designed the monument and began its construction. A series of setbacks and delays halted the work, however, and the Arc de Triomphe was not finished until 1836. At that time, it was unveiled as a symbol of French unity and progress. Since its creation, the monument has served as the site of important public events. It is a universally recognized symbol of France and a popular destination for tourists.

Brief History

During the Napoleonic Wars that raged from 1803 to 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte and his French armies won many victories over other European nations and coalitions. Napoleon established himself, for a brief time, as the most dominant leader on the continent, and he won France some of its greatest glories ever.

Napoleon's acclaim soared after the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, in which he and his Grand Army defeated a powerful combined force of Austrian and Russian foes. Many military historians consider Napoleon's performance in that battle a masterpiece of military strategy. Many touted his feats, and Napoleon himself sought a way to memorialize this great moment for the French armies. In 1806, the year after the battle, he commissioned the construction of a monumental structure in Paris. This monument, which took decades to complete, would be known around the world as the Arc de Triomphe, or the Triumphal Arch.

The first architect assigned to the project was Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin, who began overseeing the construction on August 15, 1806, Napoleon's birthday. Chalgrin devised a huge and elaborate monument, but progress was slow. In 1810, to mark the marriage of Napoleon and Austrian archduchess Marie-Louise de Habsbourg-Lorraine, Chalgrin created a mock-up of the enormous structure using wood and canvas.

In 1811, with construction still lagging, Chalgrin died. His protégé, Louis-Robert Goust (sometimes written Joust), assumed leadership of the project. However, when Napoleon temporarily abdicated in 1814, work on the monument halted. Social and political complications, even after the return of Napoleon to power, left the Arc de Triomphe in continued delay. Calls even rose for the monument foundation to be demolished.

In 1823, after the death of Napoleon, King Louis XVIII turned his attention to the unfinished project. Louis saw the monument as an important symbol of French military might as well as the durability of its culture and government. Therefore, he ordered that work on the monument resume.

Under the supervision of architect Guillaume-Abel Blouet, crews built the structure of the arch by 1831 and then finished the entire work in 1836. The reigning king at that time, King Louis-Philippe, held a grand opening ceremony. His administration hailed the Arc de Triomphe as an enduring symbol of the unity of France and of the country's healing after many years of conflict.

Overview

The Arc de Triomphe is in Paris in the center of a circular plaza. This plaza forms a hub where twelve large avenues meet. The shape of this meeting point between the avenues reminded observers of a star, leading to the full original name of the monument, Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile (Triumphal Arch of the Star). In the twentieth century, the "star" reference was removed when the plaza was renamed after French statesman Charles de Gaulle.

The Arc de Triomphe is considered one of the largest and most famous monuments in the world. It stands 164 feet (50 meters) tall and is 148 feet (45 meters) wide. It is famous for its enormous size as well as its intricate detail and artistry. Chalgrin designed the arch based on ancient Roman principles, thus connecting the French empire with the glories of their ancient neighbors. The design also alludes to the architecture favored by King Louis XIV, who reigned during a period of prosperity in France.

Originally, Chalgrin had planned to create many sculpted columns within the arch, but this proposal was rejected by Napoleon due to its prohibitive cost. Instead, the walls of the monument are flat, massive, and imposing. They are decorated with hundreds of high-relief sculptures and inscriptions pertaining to French culture and history. The main sculptors of these works were François Rude, Jean-Pierre Cortot, and Antoine Etex.

Most of the sculptures commemorate the military exploits of French armies. The most renowned of these works is Départ des Volontaires de 1792 (Departure of the Volunteers of 1792), which is also known as La Marseillaise after the name of the French national anthem. Sculpted by Rude, this artwork depicts soldiers in classical military garb taking up arms and being guided into battle by a winged goddess of victory.

Many other details grace the walls of the arch. A frieze consisting of hundreds of large, sculpted figures runs along all the walls. Some areas are inscribed with the names of hundreds of French leaders, generals, soldiers killed in action, and battles.

The Arc de Triomphe also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a permanent monument to French soldiers who died but never received proper burials. The tomb was established in 1921 after the horrors of World War I, with the burial of the remains of an unidentified soldier. Since 1923, officials have maintained a constant flame at the site that represents the country's enduring appreciation of these soldiers' sacrifices.

The Arc de Triomphe was the most prominent object on the Parisian skyline until the construction of the Eiffel Tower in the 1880s. In modern times, the arch rivals the Eiffel Tower both as a symbol of French pride and as a popular landmark for tourists. Many tourists enjoy visiting the viewing platform located on top of the Arc de Triomphe. Accessible by elevator and stairs, this viewing area affords a birds-eye view of the streets and buildings of Paris. It also houses a small museum and other displays detailing the story of the arch.

Despite the many changes of modern times, the Arc de Triomphe remains an enduring icon. It has been used for many parades and as a public place for the funerals of French heroes such as Ferdinand Foch and Victor Hugo. French armies have marched under the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate victories in World War I (1918) and World War II (1945). However, German invading forces have exploited the popularity of the arch by marching under it after victories over France.

Bibliography

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