The Arc de Triomphe (Arch of Triumph) in Paris, France is an amazing monument of 51 metres high and 45 metres wide. It is located in the Place de l'Etoile (west of the Champs-Elysees). The Arc is situated in a lively roundabout and twelve major avenues lead to it. There is only one triumphant arch bigger than the one in Paris, built in North Korea in 1982.

The Arc de Triomphe was built to commemorate the victory of Emperor Napoleon I at Austerlitz. To lay the foundations alone took two years and the construction was not completed until 1833 (approximately). At the base of the Arch there are four beautiful sculptural groups by some of the most important artists of France: ‘The Triumph of 1810’ (by Jean-Pierre Cortot), ‘Resistance’ – ‘Peace’ (both by Antoine Étex) and the well-known ‘La Marseillaise’ also called  ‘Departure of the Volunteers of '92’ (by François Rude). In the walls of the Arch of Triumph you can read the names of 558 French Generals (the ones you see underlined are those who died in battle) and in the attic there are 30 shields with the names of great Napoleon victories.