The Arc de Triomphe is a monument in Paris that stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly the Place de l'Étoile, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.

In the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle, at the border of the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissement stands one of the greatest arches in history: the Arc de Triomphe (arch of triumph).

Napoléon's Triumphal Arch
The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories, but he was ousted before the arch was completed. In fact, it wasn't completed until 1836 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. The Arc de Triomphe is engraved with names of generals who commanded French troops during Napoleon's regime.

Design
The design of the arch by Jean Chalgrin is based on the Arch of Titus in Rome.The Arc de Triomphe is much higher (50m versus 15m), but it has exactly the same proportions.

Place Charles de Gaulle
The arch is located at the end of the Champs-Elysées, in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle, a large circular square from which no less than 12 Streets emanate. The streets are named after French military leaders.

Observatory
The arch features an observatory from where you have great views of La Defense, the Champs-Elysées and the Sacré-Coeur.