The last posthumous project of the visual artist Christo will take place: from September 18 to October 3, the Arc de Triomphe, on the avenue des Champs-Elysées, will be packed.

In the meantime, visits are still possible and tourists discover, with a little disappointment, the view obstructed by the scaffolding. 

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It is one of the most emblematic monuments of the capital.

The Arc de Triomphe is also getting ready to be packaged!

It was the dream of the Bulgarian artist Christo, who died in 2020: to wrap the colossus of the Champs-Élysées in fabric, as he had done for the Pont-Neuf in 1985. A posthumous project started in June, under the leadership of the plastic surgeon's nephew, which is due to end on September 18.

During the works, visits are still possible, but the view is a little hampered, according to tourists present on site.

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"From a photo point of view, we can not say that it is pretty-pretty", comments one of them at the microphone of Europe 1. Two red cranes invite themselves on the perspective, while scaffolding s' rise on both sides of the arch and wooden trellises stand around the sculptures. "It's a little frustrating because we don't have time to detail all the perimeter and the statuary on the feet", continues the man. 

This couple returned to Paris after ten years outside the capital, have just climbed the Arc de Triomphe to enjoy the view, failing to appreciate the architecture of the monument.

“The packaging of Christo must surely be a very nice thing to see, so you have to go through the scaffolding side before!”, He continues.

"But I didn't think there would be so much scaffolding and so much handling."

25,000 square meters of fabric

Despite the work, this family of travelers poses at a safe distance and postpones their visit.

"We would have liked to go underneath to show the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the girls, but there are all the machines so it is not accessible."

A disappointment for this other woman, who nevertheless prefers the building in its natural state.

"Even if there is scaffolding, I can see it. Wrapped up, packed: it is no longer the Arc de Triomphe."

However, from September 18 to October 3, it will be this arch that will be guessed behind 25,000 square meters of recyclable silver fabric with bluish reflections and 3,000 meters of red rope.

The works are financed by sales of the artist's works, in partnership with the Center des monuments nationaux (CMN).