Rachel Goldman

Birth of Modern Europe

Mr. Meyers

May 26th, 2000

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile is the worlds largest triumphal arch at 16 stories high. Its volume is more than 20 times greater than the Septime Severe at 50,000 tons. The amazing piece of architucture creates the backdrop for an impressive urban ensemble in Paris, France. This monument surmonts the hill of the Chaillot at the center of a star shaped configureation. This area has 12 main avenues that radiate out, to every direction of the city. It is from the Arc de Triomphe that one could see the length of the Champs Elysees from the smaller Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in the Tuileries gardens, and from the Obelisque de Luxor in the place de la Concorde.

In was in 1806 that Napoleon I conceived of the idea to have a triumphal arch. It was to be built in memory of those from ancient Rome and dedicated to the glory of his imperial armies. The structure of this master piece was designed by Jean Francoin Therese Chalgrin. But it was later finished by Louis Phillepe. Its deceptively simple design and the immense size of it make it an unmistakable structure from the late 18th century, of Romantic Neoclassicism. The Arch also serves as an emblem of the French patriotism.

On January 21st, 1921, France placed the body of an unknown soldier beneath the arch. There has been a flame that has burned that commemorates the deaths of those that lost their life’s in the two world wars. This flame is rekindled every night at 6:30. On Armistice Day, which is November 11th, (similar to the United Stated Veterans Day) who ever the President of the Republic is will place a ceremonial wreath on top of the grave sight. On July 14th, which is the French National Day, also known as Bastille Day, a military parade starts at the arch and them will proceed down the Champs Elysees, signifying the armies devotion to those that have died. For important occasions involving the state, as well as on national holidays, the government will hang a huge flag inside of the arch. Also signifying the importance of the arch the French national bike ride called the Tour de France culminates at the arch on either the third of the fourth Sunday of the month of July.

The Arc de Triomphe is 49.5 meters in height, which is 162 feet tall. At the bases of the Arc’s pillars are four huge relief sculptures, each one is suppose to be commemorating the Triumph of the war of 1810, the Resistance, the Peace and the Departure of the Volunteers also known as La Marseillis. On the day of the Battle of Verdun started in the year 1916, the sword that was carried by the figure that was suppose to reports the Republic broke off from the La Marseillaise. The relief was immediately hidden to conceal the accidents, so that the country would not think that is was to be an omen or a bad sign concerning what they were about to embark on.

On the top of the Arch are the names of the major victories won during the Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, each of these names are engraved. The names of the less important victories as well as those of the 558 generals that have served in the army names are engraved on the inside walls. All of the generals names that are underlined are those that have lost their life’s defending their country. It is fitting that they be underlined there fore making them stick out more than the other names. The arch has technically never been finished. A variety of project have been proposed to the French government for the finishing touches to crown the arch, but to this day none of them have been done.

Jean Francois Therese Chalgrin was born in 1739 and then died on January 20th, 1811. He was a French architect who helped to create an appreciation for Romantic Classicism in the late 18th Century. He was a pupil of Jean Nicolas Servandoni and of Etienne Louis Boullee. Chalgrin is best known for his work on the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile. The incredible grandure of the Arc de Triomphe relates it nicely to Paris and it has adapted the scale almost line for line the square proportions of Nicolas Francois Blondel, Porte St-Denis arch.

Inside of the arch is a museum that is there to document the history of the masterpiece, as well as the construction of it. It is possible to climb to the roof the structure, but is requires assenting three hundred stairs. The view that will meet you is one of the entire city of Paris. This is a view that can not be seen from any other point in the city. When one looks eastward the view is that of the Champs Elysees, the Louve, the Place de la Conorde, the Tuileries Gardens and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. When one looks to the west, in the distant it can be seen the La Grane Arch de la Defense.

On the sight of the arch is the monument called the Charles de Gaulle. This statute used to be called the l’Etoile, because of the multicolored star that is built into the pavement of the roundabout. If one were to look closely at the pavement, it is still possible to see the alternateing gray and red colors of the star. This has much significance to the French, and shows how durrable the country is.