The Arc de Triomphe: Paris, France

The Arc de Triomphe is the world's second largest triumphal arch which is located in Paris, France.This stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle. It is built by Napoléon I as a monument to his military conquests. This triumphal arch honours those who fought for France, during Nepolean wars. All of the names of generals and wars fought are written inside and to the top of the arch. Its underneath is the tomb of unknown soldier who fought during world war I

The arch stands 162 ft in height, 150 ft wide and 72 ft deep. It is the second largest triumphal arch in existence. Its design was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. Its astylar design is by Jean Chalgrin (1739–1811), in the Neoclassical version of ancient Roman architecture.Major academic sculptors of France: Corhtot; Rude; Étex; Pradier and Lemaire. are represented in the sculpture of the Arc de Triomphe. This creation is twice the size of ancient Roman Arch of Constantine after which it is modeled. The simple design and immense size of the Arc de Triomphe are typical of late 18th-century romantic neoclassicism.

Access to the Arc de Triomphe is through an underpass. The Arc has an elevator, to the underneath level, the exterior observation level. Visitors can either take the lift and walk up 46 steps or climb 284 steps to reach the top of the Arc. From the top there is a beautiful view of Paris, of twelve major avenues leading to the Étoile and of the exceptionally busy roundabout in which the Arc stands. The Arc de Triomphe is accessible by the RER and Métro at the Charles de Gaulle.