Arc de Triompe... Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon, shortly after his victory at Austerlitz, it was not finished until 1836. There are four huge relief sculptures at the bases of the four pillars. These commemorate The Triumph of 1810 (Cortot); Resistance , and Peace (both by Etex); and The Departure of the Volunteers, more commonly known by the name La Marseillaise (Rude).
La Marseillaise by François Rude; One of four reliefs on the pillars of the Arch. The day the Battle of Verdun started in 1916, the sword carried by the figure representing the Republic broke off. The relief was immediately hidden to conceal the accident and avoid any undesired associations or interpretations as a bad omen.
Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, are to found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined died in action.
Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and eternal flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars.
Every Armistice Day (11 November) the President of the Republic lays a wreath. On 14 July - the French National Day (referred to as Bastille Day everywhere except in France) - a military parade down the Champs Elysées begins here. For important occasions of state, and national holidays, a huge French tricolor is unfurled and hung from the vaulted ceiling inside of the Arch. (via Paris.org)
You can read more about the Arc de Triomphe here.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier...
Look at the details on the monument... amazing...
Now let's head up the 284 stairs to the top... 
the views will be worth the climb... toward the Champs-Elysees...
This family enjoys the view toward the Eiffel Tower...
and commissions Fifi to recreate their vacation memory in a painting ( this is not the finished painting... this is a thumbnail painting for approval)...
ooooh how could you not love these views... 
Let's stay and watch the sun go down...
and see the City of Lights come alive...
Oooh la la... I hope you enjoy your day outside on the Arc de Triomphe... tomorrow tablescapes... not sure we will still be in Paris... but we will have FAB tables to view!Now off you go to visit other OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY participants via Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer!
Oooooh SPECIAL TODAY ONLY... FREE SHIPPING ON ALL PAINTINGS IN THE U.S.
Au revoir!!!
Photos via Google Search for Arc de Triomphe
