Arc de Triomphe

The arch was commissioned by Napoléan Bonaparte to celebrate his victory at Austerlitz.

The arch was completed by Blouet following the death of Chalgrin in 1811.

The base of the arch exhibits four giant relief sculptures depicting The Triumph, Resistance, Peace and the Departure of the Volunteers, best known as La Marseillaise.

The interior of the arch contains a small museum displaying plans and models related to the arch's construction.

Circling the top of the arch are names of major victories from the time of the French Revolution and Napoleonic eras.

The inner walls of the arch display minor victories and the names of 558 generals - the names of those who died in action are underlined.

The top of the arch provides a splendid view of the Étoile below and its twelve radiating boulevards; looking southeast along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to the Place de la Concorde and northwest to La Grande Arche and buildings at La Défense.

Beneath the arch sits the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with a flame of remembrance.

The incumbent French president lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every Armistice Day on the 11th day of the 11th month.

The arch is best reached via a pedestrian underpass rather than by crossing the Étoile and risking injury from passing traffic.

The arch is the venue for the culmination of the Tour de France cycle race.

On national holidays and state occasions, a huge French tricolor flag is hung inside the arch.

So large is the arch, that a pilot has even flown a small plane through its centre.

World's largest triumphal arch.