The Arc de Triomphe is a monument in Paris that stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly the Place de l'Étoile, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. The Arch honours those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars, and today also includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon, shortly after his victory at Austerlitz, the Arc de Triomphe was not finished until 1836. There are four huge relief sculptures at the bases of the four pillars. These commemorate The Triumph of 1810 (Cortot), the Resistance and Peace (both by Etex), and The Departure of the Volunteers; more commonly known by the name La Marseillaise (Rude).

La Marseillaise by François Rude is one of four reliefs on the pillars of the Arch. The day the Battle of Verdun started in 1916, the sword carried by the figure representing the Republic broke off. The relief was immediately hidden to conceal the accident, avoiding any undesired associations with it being interpreted as a bad omen.

Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, are to be found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined are those of whom died in action.

Beneath the Arch, is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as an eternal flame burning to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives during the two World Wars.

Every Armistice Day (11 November), the President of the Republic lays a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe and on the 14 July, the French National Day (referred to as Bastille Day everywhere except in France) - a military parade down the Champs Elysées starts under the Arch. For important occasions of state, and national holidays, a huge French tricolor is unfurled and hung from the vaulted ceiling inside of the Arch.

Viewmore information on the Arc de Triomphe.