L'Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile
The Arc de Triomphe sits at the western end of the famous Champs-Élysées and at the center of a dozen avenues radiating outward from the surrounding traffic circle. As with most things in Paris, there’s a ton of history associated with the arch:
- The monument is covered with sculptures depicting French military history.
- Napoleon’s remains passed under the arch when they were brought back to France from Saint Helena.
- Below the arch is The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Since the 1920 interment, all military parades—including Hitler’s march through Paris—have proceeded around the arch rather than through it out of respect for the tomb.