.All Trips / Europe / France

Exploring the Arc de Triomphe

Paris._Arc_de_Triomphe._Postcard,_c.1920

Paris’ Arc de Triomphe rests at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, near the western end of the Champs-Élysées, and is at the hub of twelve radiating avenues.  It is a war memorial honoring those who fought and died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.  The monument is decorated with war scenes, symbols and the names of French victories and victorious Generals. 

Beneath the vault rests the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (from World War I, interred in 1920).  This grave was visited by President and Mrs Kennedy in 1961.  Rumor has it that after JFK was assassinated in 1963, Jackie requested an eternal flame be placed at her husband’s grave in Arlington Cemetery because she’d liked the one under the Arc de Triomphe.

Closer view of the Arc de Triomphe

Closer view of the Arc de Triomphe

The design of …

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.All Trips / Europe / France

Les Invalides (and the Army Museum), Paris

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One of the more familiar landmarks in Paris is the gold-capped dome of Les Invalides, also known as Hotel des Invalides, and the adjoining Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée).  This is a complex of buildings in Paris containing, most famously, the tomb of beloved leader Napoleon Bonaparte.

King Louis XIV, the Sun King, began the project in 1670.  King Louis saw the need for a home and hospital for war heroes who had long and faithfully served their country (20 years of service were needed for residency).  It was later realized that a royal chapel should be part of the complex, which was completed in 1708.  During the 18th century the veterans were required to attend church every day.

The area …

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