An Old Tourist Attraction - The Arch of Triumph (Day 19 of 60)

164 feet straight up in the 
Arch of Triumph

 

Built in 1836 to honor Napoleon - the Arch of Triumph honors the time when France was a powerful country that made an attempt to rule the world. That was a different France than today.  

After winning several battles against a variety of other countries - Napoleon did pass many laws that helped civilization. They made him the emperor for life - and then eventually banned him to an isolated island prison. He died 6 years later - probably poisoned - at the age of 51. 

The Arch is 164 feet tall and was the tallest structure in Paris until the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889. At the top is a large museum that one reaches by climbing a well done set of spiral steps. There are two sets - one up - one down - you go down so much faster than going up. 

Nothing prepares you for the fabulous view from the roof. It is wide open with a protective fence. It was a pretty day - about 75 - breezy - party sunny. We lingered at the top for about an hour. We just had a lunch stop before paying the 12 euro admission. 

12 avenues meet at the Arch. Traffic circles the bottom counterclockwise. From the top it looks like bumper cars - although miraculously we saw no wrecks. 

Paris is called the City of Lights. Because it is relatively level - you can see the lights continue to the horizon. Buildings were limited to 7 stories and it gives you excellent sight lines. Before we go home - we will go to the top of the Eiffel Tower at night if we can. 

Ironically Good Morning America will be here today covering the reopening of the Eiffel Tower. More irony - France is considering going backward - changing its covid travel rating from yellow to red. We may be stuck here. :-)

Etoile - means star - 
it sits on a 12 point star

When Napoleon died - 
his coffin was paraded through here - 
he is at Invalides in town with his horse.
After WWI - plane flew thru it. 

Statues on the side of the arch

A model of the Arch in the museum 

Eiffel Tower from the Arch

Champ Elysee is the world famous 
avenue in Paris shopping

Napoleon's coffin is in the golden dome

Mont Marte Cathedral

Find the 5 golden domes - 
our apartment is there

The street on the left is Frieland Avenue - 
we stayed there in 2001. More later. 

Cars circle the monument all day and night

This fence is to prevent suicides - 
it provided a great view

It was a light traffic Thursday.
The Louvre Museum at the other end. 

Souvenir arches and towers
 everywhere

Freedom does not look free

November 11th 1918 - 
World War I ended

Gas light - tomb of the unknowns

Jack and Jackie Kennedy visited here 
in 1961. She liked the gas light
so she put one on his grave in 1963.

In 2001 - we stayed in that room above the pharmacy.
Our bed had windows on 3 sides.

In 2001- Lulu called me at school. She said
she booked a trip to Paris for $400 each for Easter.
It included a flight from Newark to 
Paris plus this glorious Friedland Hotel.
You can see the Arch of Triumph 
in the background. We slept all night
with 3 doors open - and one 
bottle of 99 cent champagne.