What is Arc de Triomphe?
[[File:Arc de Triomphe, Paris 21 October 2010.jpg|thumb|The Arc de Triomphe in [[Paris]]]] The '''Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile''' is commonly known as '''Arc de Triomphe''' (meaning ''arch of victory''). It is a famous [[monument]] in [[Paris]]. It is at the centre of the [[Place Charles de Gaulle]]. This was formerly called the ''Place de l'Étoile'' at the western end of the [[Champs-Elysées]]. Emperor [[Napoléon Bonaparte]] commissioned it in 1806 after victory in the [[Battle of Austerlitz]]. It was inaugurated on [[29 July]] [[1836]]. It is a large arch, but it is not possible to drive underneath it. Jean-François Chalgrin designed it, and it has roughly 300 steps that lead to the top. It has four main sculptures and six [[relief]]s. Just beneath the vault of the arch, there is the [[tomb of the unknown soldier]]. The names of French generals and battles are engraved on the walls. The first stone was laid on August 6th, 1806. It is over 160 feet high and serves as a gate/entryway for the city. {{-}} {{France-stub}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 19th century]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Paris]] [[Category:Monuments and memorials in France]] [[Category:Tombs of Unknown Soldiers]]