Monuments

Arc de Triomphe

This large triumphal arch stands at a point where twelve avenues converge on the Place Charles de Gaulle. Napoleon had this arch built in 1806 and dedicated it to the French army to commemorate his victories. The arch includes the names of 128 victories of Napoleon and the 600 generals who participated in these victories. Some of the sculptors who contributed were Rude, Cortot, Etex and Lemaire. It was completed in 1836. The top of the arch provides for a fantastic view of Paris.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel tower is the most famous monument in the world and the symbol of Paris. It was built temporarily for the universal exhibition by Gustave Eiffel but later found another use as a telecommunications tower. The tower is 985 feet high and took two years to build. It has a restaurant, a souvenir shop, a bar and the office of Gustave Eiffel containing wax figures of Gustave Eiffel and Thomas Edison. The top most platform provides for a fantastic view of Paris

Pantheon

This monument is a masterpiece by architect Soufflot. The foundations for this monument was laid in 1758, but due to financial difficulties, it was only completed after Soufflot's death in 1780 by his student, Rondelet, in 1789. The Pantheon was used as the burial ground of great French men since the revolution. Among those buried in its necropolis are Voltaire, Rousseau, Mirabeau, Marat, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, and Soufflot its architect.

Place de la Concorde

The Place de la Concorde is the most spacious square in Paris. It was laid out in the mid-18th century by French architect Jacques Ange Gabriel as a monument to King Louis XV.

The square showcases a massive 3200 year old Egyptian obelisk from the temple at Luxor. The obelisk was a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X in 1829. Fountains surrounded by eight statues representing 8 French cities flank this.

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