Paris, France - Arc De Triomphe - Triumphal Arch

The Arc de Triomphe stands majestically in the centre of the Etoile, a large roundabout designed by Baron Haussmann, from which 12 avenues, including the Champs-Elysees, emanate. It is celebrated as one of the greatest - if not the greatest - triumphal arches in the world.

The arch was commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate his victorious battles. He had already built an arch at the place du Carrousel, but was disappointed with its final size and went on to supercede it with the much larger and grander Arc de Triomphe. Work on the 50m (164-foot) tall structure began in 1806, but was not completed until 30 years later under Louis-Phillippe, largely because of Napoleon's defeat and fall from power. Fittingly, his funeral procession passed under the arch on its way to its final resting place at Les Invalides.

Today, the arch remains a symbol of pride and regularly hosts national commemorations. On May 8 each year it plays a central role in the VE Day celebrations; on July 14 it hosts an event to mark Bastille Day; and Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Austerliltz in 1805 is marked at the foot of the arch on December 2. Beneath the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a victim of World War I, who was buried on November 11 1920, and where Remembrance Day events are held every year. A Memorial Flame above the tomb is lit at 6:30pm every day.

The arch is lavishly adorned with sculptures by Jean-Pierre Cortot, Antoine Etex and Francois Rude. Among them is Rude's famous liberty sculpture, La Marseillaise. Above the sculptures is a frieze depicting Napoleon's troops leaving for battle and their victorious return, along with 30 shields, each of which bears the name of a revolutionary or Imperial victory. Cortot's relief depicts the Treaty of Vienna peace agreement of 1810, while others portray Battle of Aboukir by Seurre the Elder and the Battle of Austerlitz by Gechter. General Marceau's funeral is shown above the entrance to the arch's museum.

Crowning the Arc de Triomphe is a viewing platform from where you can see Haussmann's design of 12 avenues and the world-renowned axis, or line of vision, known as the Axe Historique. This runs from the Grande Arche at La Defense to the Arc de Triomphe, along the Champs-Elysees to the obelisk in the centre of the place de la Concorde, and on to the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Musee du Louvre. Placed in a perfect straight line, they constitute a grand panorama.

Inside the arch is a museum that tells the fascinating history of the structure, and details of Napoleon's victories. If you feel energetic enough, you can walk up the 184 steps to the viewing platform.