Detailed history of the Arc de Triomphe: From 1806–Present Day

History

In 1806, when Napolean Bonaparte (Napolean I) emerged victorious from the Battle of Austerlitz, he commissioned the construction of a triumphal arch to celebrate the military achievements and sacrifices of the French armies. That’s how the Arc de Triomphe came to be.

Arc de Triomphe timeline

1806: Napoleon I commissioned the construction of the Arc de Triomphe. Architects Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin and Jean-Arnaud Raymond are appointed.

1810: For Napolean’s marriage to Marie-Louise of Austria, a full-scale wooden model of the arch is erected, since construction has only reached the base of the pillars.

1811: Lead architect Jean Chalgrin passes away, and his student, Louis-Robert Goust, takes over the project.

1814–1826: The fall of Napoleon and the subsequent political changes leads to the suspension of construction during the Bourbon Restoration (return of the House of Bourbon to the throne).

1833–1836: Construction resumes and is completed under King Louis-Philippe I, who dedicates the monument to the glory of the French army.

1840: Napoleon's ashes are returned to Paris and ceremoniously pass under the Arc de Triomphe en route to their final resting place at Les Invalides.

1921: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is placed beneath the arch to honor unidentified soldiers who died in World War I.

1944: Allied troops and French forces marched through the Arc de Triomphe during the liberation of Paris in World War II.

1961: President Charles de Gaulle rekindles the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tradition that continues to honor fallen soldiers.

2021: In September 2021, the Arc is temporarily wrapped in silvery-blue fabric as part of an art installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, a project conceived in the 1960s and realized posthumously.

Detailed history of Arc de Triomphe

19th century

The construction of a triumphal arch was commissioned

Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned the Arc de Triomphe in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz, intending to honor the French army. The design was led by Jean Chalgrin, who envisioned a neoclassical structure inspired by Roman triumphal arches, particularly the Arch of Titus. However, construction was delayed after Chalgrin died in 1811 and the rise in political instability during the Bourbon Restoration. Work resumed under King Louis-Philippe I, and the Arc was completed in 1836, 15 years after Napoleon died in 1921.

Notable events:

April 2, 1810: The wedding procession of Napolean Bonaparte and Marie-Louise briefly stopped beneath the arch, on their way to the chapel erected in the Louvre Museum.
December 15, 1840: Napoleon’s gilded hearse passed underneath the arch, on its way to the emperor’s final resting place in Les Invalides.

20th century

Lighting of the eternal flame

The Arc de Triomphe evolved into a poignant symbol of remembrance in the 20th century. On January 28, 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed beneath the arch, honoring unidentified soldiers who perished in World War I. On November 11, 1923, Andre Maginot, French Minister for War, lit the eternal flame for the first time. 39 years later, President Charles de Gaulle reignited the eternal flame in 1961, a tradition that continues daily (to this day) to commemorate fallen heroes.

Notable events:

August 7, 1919: Charles Godefroy flew a Nieuport biplane through the arch, to address an affront.
August 25, 1944: The Liberation of Paris; the Tricolor is flown from the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

21st century

Adorned by an art installation

In 2021, it was temporarily wrapped in silvery-blue fabric as part of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's installation, L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped. The project, conceptualized in the 1960s, reimagined the monument as a canvas for artistic expression while preserving its historic essence. The installation attracted global attention, reaffirming the Arc’s role as both a cultural landmark and a symbol of creative innovation.

Notable events:

July 14: Bastille Day parade, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
Rekindling of the eternal flame, daily at 6:30pm.

Frequently asked questions about the Arc de Triomphe's history

Who designed the Arc de Triomphe?

Jean Chalgrin, a French architect, designed the Arc de Triomphe, drawing inspiration from ancient Roman triumphal arches. After he died in 1911, Louis-Robert Goust and Jean-Nicolas Huyot took over his plans.

How long did it take to construct the Arc de Triomphe?

Construction spanned 30 years, from 1806 to 1836, with interruptions due to political upheavals in France.

What was the cost of building the Arc de Triomphe?

The Arc cost approximately 9.3 million French francs, a significant expense for its time.

What is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe?

It bears the names of French generals, battles from the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and sculptural reliefs depicting key events.

What is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and why is it significant?

Installed in 1921, it honors unidentified soldiers from World War I, with an eternal flame symbolizing remembrance.

Does the Arc de Triomphe inspire any famous artworks or cultural references?

The Arc has inspired countless paintings, photographs, and films, including a prominent role in Claude Lelouch’s short film C’était un rendez-vous.

What makes the Arc de Triomphe unique compared to other triumphal arches?

Its sheer size, intricate sculptures, and historical inscriptions make it one of the largest and most symbolic arches in the world.

Did the Arc de Triomphe inspire any other triumphal arches globally?

Yes, structures like the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang and the National War Memorial Arch in India were influenced by its design.

Was the eternal flame ever extinguished since its inception?

It was accidentally extinguished by a Mexican football fan who urinated on it during the 1998 World Cup, where France beat Brazil (3–0).

Can visitors explore the historical details of the Arc de Triomphe on-site?

Yes, a small museum inside the Arc offers exhibits on its history. To learn more about the monument, pick up a free copy of an information booklet from the museum.

Has the Arc de Triomphe undergone any restorations?

It has undergone multiple restorations, including a significant cleaning in the 1960s and recent work in 2022 to preserve its structural integrity.