Video .. From Napoleon to the yellow jackets .. The Arc de Triomphe tells of France’s achievements and disappointments

Hafsa Alami - Paris

"You will return home through the arcs of victory," Napoleon told his armies after the Battle of Austerlitz in 1806, which saw the victory over the Austrian and Russian forces. On his return to Paris, Napoleon ordered the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in commemoration of this anniversary.

Given the value of this arch today and the millions of tourists who come from all over the world to view it and take pictures in front of it, it is strange to know that only 11 people attended the inauguration ceremony in 1836, among them was King Louis Philippe.

He was ordained an emperor, and the building works were completed by a king, and he is now an archaeological landmark of the Republic of France. What is the story of the Parisian Arc de Triomphe?

Roman Arch Titus
This edifice was part of the construction and decorating works of the French capital at the time, and was constructed in an ancient Roman style in response to the Emperor's wish.

The Arch of Titus, built in Rome in 82 AD is the oldest in the world, established by Roman Emperor Domitian shortly after the death of his older brother Titus to commemorate his victories, which included the siege imposed on Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Thus, the Arch of Titus has become the general model for many arches in the world since the 16th century, led by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

An unknown soldier
The idea to honor an unknown soldier emerged as a symbol of all those who fell on the field of honor in 1916 during the First World War.

After the armistice of November 11, 1918, which declared the war over, the French National Assembly decided to place the body of the unknown soldier in the cemetery of the greats in Paris, or the so-called Pantheon.

In 1920 the corpse of the unknown soldier reached the Arc de Triomphe with a majestic procession, and was buried under the next general arc. On November 11, 1923, the Minister of War André Mageno staged the memorial flame on the grave, and these ceremonies are revived daily at 6:30 pm under the supervision of the "Flame" organization.

The names of the battles and warlords of France during the revolution and during the reign of the Emperor are also inscribed on the walls of the arcs. Note that the soldiers who put their names under the line were killed during the battles.

On the ground, there are writings that commemorate other events, such as the proclamation of the republic on September 4, 1870, the annexation of the Alsace-Lorraine region again to France in 1918 and student demonstrations in 1940 against the German occupation.

In the middle of a star ..
Napoleon originally wanted this edifice to be built at the site of Labasti, east of Paris, the place from which his army returned, but was chosen as a last-minute square due to its presence at the end of the Champs-Elysées, opposite the Tuileries Palace, the emperor's residence, with a height of fifty meters and a width of 45 meters.

The square was empty at the end of the axis drawn by Andre Lunotreur in the 17th century as an extension of the central corridor of the Tuileries Garden in order to appear to be connected to the horizon.

The street plan completed in the 17th century included eight streets, but the final arrangement ordered by Baron Haussmann (the governor of the Seine district) raised the number of streets to 12 streets. This square was also named Charles de Gaulle in 1980.

Through the balcony above the arch, you can see the distinctive position of the arch in the middle of the Letoal Square, which means the star. This square has taken its name from the way the surrounding roads and streets that intersect each other are designed.

Miniature version of the arc
The "de Carousel" arc was built between 1806 and 1808, and was originally designed as a monumental entrance to the Tuileries Palace. It is located to the west of the Louvre, opposite the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe in L'Etoile.

It is called the smallest arc because the size of the Arc of Triumph is twice the size of Du Carousel, as it is 19 meters high and 23 meters wide.

Its design is characterized by carriages drawn by four horses above the bow, and it is called "Quadriga", which was used in the ancient Olympics, and it is a symbol of fame and victory.

The most important national events
The Arch of Triumph during its completion from 1806 to 1836 witnessed several changes due to the political fluctuations and power struggle between the various architects who supervised its construction.

King Louis Philippe I - who came to power after the July Revolution of 1830 - wanted to perpetuate his military past in the armies of the revolution and take into account the feeling of the empire's supporters simultaneously.

This edifice attested to many national events, such as the return of Napoleon I ashes in 1840, the funeral vigil that followed the burial ceremony of Victor Hugo, and also the display of the Allied forces in 1919 after their victory in World War I.

Today, the Sagittarius witnesses many events such as New Year's holidays and celebration of the football team’s achievements, the most recent of which was the crowning of the 2018 World Cup. It was often the destination of the yellow jacket protesters because of its symbols and national and editorial meanings that the French people still believe in to this day.