Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Arc de Triomphe















One of the most famous monuments in Paris, the Arc De Triomphe stands at the end of the Champs Elysees and stands as a monument to those who have died fighting for France in the French revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, with the names of all of the French victories and battles engraved on its inner and outer surfaces. Inside the arch area burns an "eternal flame" much like Kennedy's at Arlington. Buried beneath the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. However, the American version is very different.



The Arch de Triomphe stands right in the center of Place Charles De Gaulle, yet another round about of craziness. It's design is similar to and inspired by a Roman arch entitiled Arch of Titus. The arch is sooooooo HUGE that research found that in 1919, after the end of WWI, a man by the name of Charles Godefroy flew his biplane through it and was captured on newreel of the time period. After witnessing this amazing monument in person, I can believe it to be so!!!
















The opulent carvings on the side are symbolic as it shows Napoleon being crowned and was built as a symbol of his conquests in the world. Truly breath-taking!!! A trip back could result in getting the chance to climb to the top and take in the city of Paris from that vantage point...

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