EP.2: Arc de Triomphe #TheTriumphalArch 🇫🇷
It is far more than just a massive limestone monument in the heart of Paris. It is a “monument of blood, flesh, and victory” with a history full of drama! 🥹
🇫🇷 What exactly is the Arc de Triomphe?
Simply put, the Arc de Triomphe is the “symbol of the pride of the French army.” It rises majestically at the end of the Champs-Élysées, centered in the middle of Place Charles de Gaulle—a roundabout famous as one of the “most challenging places to drive in the world!”
📖 A story of ambition
The story began with Emperor Napoleon I. After his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, he made a grand promise to his brave soldiers: “You shall return home through triumphal arches!” 💪🏻 But…
But things were not that simple…
• The unfinished dream: Construction was interrupted several times due to political changes and ongoing wars.
• Napoleon never saw it: When it was finally completed in 1836, Napoleon had already passed away. The only time he truly went “through” the arch was in 1840, when his funeral procession passed beneath it.
• The inscriptions: If you look closely, you can see the names of 660 generals and various battle victories engraved into the walls.
✨ Why is it so fascinating? 😍
Beyond its impressive height of 50 meters, the Arc de Triomphe is home to the “Eternal Flame.” This flame burns in memory of the unknown soldiers of the First World War and serves as a constant reminder to the French people that… “freedom has its price.”
🌀 Fun fact: Every year, during national holidays or important ceremonies, large parades pass through this arch. And when you climb to the top, you are rewarded with a 360-degree view of Paris, where twelve streets radiate outward like a star (L’Étoile). A sight so beautiful that it can literally take your breath away! 👍🏻😍
