Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments of Paris. It stands to honor the men and women who died while fighting in  the French Revolution.

Construction of the Arc was ordered by Napoleon I. The Arc was built by Percier and Fontaine, between 1806 and 1808. It roughly follows the model of the Arc of Constantine in Rome.

Numerous statues are carved into the Arc, the most famous of which is 'Departure of the Volunteers', depicting the departure of volunteer forces after the French Revolution.

Under the Arc is the grave of the Unknown Soldier from World War 1. There, the first eternal flame in Europe is lit in his honor.  

You can see three Arcs in Paris: the small Arc in front of the Louvre, the Champs Elysées Arc and Arc de la Defense.