Arc de Triomphe in Paris

A new day in Paris brought that familiar grey and cold atmosphere, but Paris under the clouds has its own special kind of charm. This time, I decided to head towards one of the most recognisable symbols of France, the Arc de Triomphe. But before I reached it, I had before me one of the most beautiful and famous streets in the world.

A walk along the Champs-Élysées Avenue is an experience in itself. Everything is big, glamorous, and everything shines and smells. On both sides of the street are the most famous global brands, including Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Cartier, Chanel, and Dior, among others. Each window looks incredible, like a work of art, designed to draw you in, even if it means stopping for a moment. But I didn’t stop, I went into the stores to see what they were like inside, and I can tell you that they look like they are not for my budget 😁

Despite the gloomy weather, the avenue was bright. The smiles and energy of tourists spread along the entire avenue, as the neon signs of the shops merged into one luxurious, Parisian picture.

And then, as you walk, you see something that you can't miss, it has become the main tourist attraction, a huge Louis Vuitton suitcase, one of the main landmark elements of the avenue. It looks so impressive that you immediately understand why people take pictures of it, as well as the monuments. It seems like a symbol of modern Paris, while at the end of the avenue, high up, is its historical opposite.

Arc de Triomphe

And here is the main star, the Arc de Triomphe.
Even if you know it's big, get ready to be surprised. Up close, it looks monumental, massive, dignified. History emanates from it. So big that you have to stop a few times to look at it from below and appreciate its true height. It is quite tall, measuring 50 meters in height and 45 meters in width, and features an architectural style where every detail seems important.

The day was cool and overcast, and the wind was blowing through the roundabout around the gate. But all this gave an atmosphere worthy of a place that symbolises centuries of struggle, victories and memories.

The triumphal arch dates back to the time when Napoleon Bonaparte envisioned his soldiers marching "under the glorious arch" after returning from victory. That is why he ordered the construction of a monument in 1806 as a dedication to the French army.

Construction took more than three decades and was completed in 1836, long after the fall of Napoleon. However, his idea remained engraved in every stone.

On the outside are the names of over 600 generals, as well as the names of battles in which France participated. And under the gate itself is one of the most important symbols:
The Tomb of the Unknown Hero represents all the soldiers whose names were never recorded. The eternal flame that burns every day extinguishes the possibility that time will forget their sacrifices.

When you get closer, you realise that the gate is not just a big stone, but it is a huge open-air gallery.

The most famous reliefs are:

"La Marseillaise" - a group of soldiers led by a female figure who symbolises France and calls to battle.

"The Victory of 1810." – Napoleon at the moment of triumph.

"Peace" and "Resistance" - reliefs that symbolise the complex history of France.

The characters are so precisely formed that it seems as if they will emerge from the stone at any moment and continue their story.

Walking under the gate, I felt that special Parisian respect for history. Although it was crowded, everyone behaved quietly and cautiously, as if they knew they were standing in a place that was much more significant than an ordinary tourist spot.

The weather wasn't ideal, but I think the Arc de Triomphe looks even better under the grey.
The wind-blown flag at the top, the wet pavements around the roundabout, the cars circling it in a chaotic symphony, all this makes the scene perfectly Parisian.

From the gate, there is a view of twelve avenues that spread out like the rays of the sun. That symmetry is not accidental; Paris is a city designed with intention, a town of perspective, a municipality that leads you in all directions with one glance.

Standing under the Arc de Triomphe means standing between two worlds.
On one side is the Champs-Élysées, with its luxury, modern Paris, shop windows and lights, while on the other is the history from which it all arose.

And right there, at the crossroads of the past and the present, Paris looks most sincere.

This day was completely different from those spent in parks and churches. Here, Paris is not quiet and gentle, but here it is grandiose, proud, and powerful. And that's why this monument is something you have to see. Not only because it is famous, but because it reminds you that every city, like every person, has many faces.