There may be solely ONE Eiffel Tower. You’ll be able to’t discover a duplicate anyplace. There’s additionally the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, nonetheless, do you know there are quite a few Arc de Triomphe or triumphal arches in France?
[Originally published December 2016. Updated August 10, 2024]
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I’ve seen no less than 14 triumphal arches throughout my travels in France (a map on the finish exhibits all of the places together with 5 in Paris and 4 I’ve seen in Bordeaux). Listed here are some you may encounter and a quick description of what you’ll be able to see close by. Not all of them are price a particular journey however you may encounter one throughout your travels. When you can, head to the highest for excellent views.
1. Paris: Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile
Location and Entry: Place Charles de Gaulle (initially Place de l’Etoile), on the western finish of the Champs-Élysées. You’ll be able to go to the highest and the views are wonderful. Arc de Triomphe tickets are 12 €; nonetheless, admission is included with the Paris Museum Move and is free the first Sunday of the month (Jan 1 to Mar 31 and Nov 1 to Dec 31).
Close by: purchasing on the Champs Elysée or on Avenue Montaigne (decide up some macarons at Pierre Hermé on 133 Av. des Champs-Élysées); catch the 1 € shuttle to Fondation Louis Vuitton; stroll south to the Seine to catch a trip on the Bateaux Mouches or to Le Grand Palais.
Little Historical past:
The Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile is probably the most well-known arch in Paris. It’s 50 metres excessive and 45 metres extensive and was constructed between 1806 and 1836. Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte commissioned the development after he was victorious on the Battle of Austerlitz. The monument pays tribute to the troopers who fought and died for France within the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It’s fairly the murals with the names of the generals and the French battles carved into the perimeters.
On November 11, 1920, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was interred and is price going to the highest day time or evening time to get a view of the main avenues which radiate from the Arc.
2. Paris: Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Location and Entry: Place du Carrousel. You can not go to the highest
Close by: Louvre Museum; purchasing underground within the Carrousel du Louvre; Musée Des Arts Décoratifs; stroll round Palais Royale or alongside the Seine.
Little Historical past:
It was constructed between 1806-1808 and was constructed to commemorate Napoleon’s victories with quite a few bas-reliefs carried out in rose marble.
It’s 63 ft excessive and 75 ft extensive and just like the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile, there are quite a few bas-reliefs on the perimeters, representing the Kingdom of Italy (Historical past and Arts) and the French empire (Victory, Fame, Historical past, and Abundance). They’re carried out in rose marble. On the very prime is the “Chariot of Peace” and surrounding the construction are 8 Corinthian columns of marble.
About half the scale of the Arc at Place Charles de Gaulle, this Arc is located throughout the road from the Louvre Museum’s Pyramid. When you stand instantly beneath the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, you’ll be able to see the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile in your line of sight.
3. Paris: Grande Arche de la Protection
Location and Entry: within the La Protection enterprise district (in Puteaux, northwest of the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile). The rooftop is not accessible to the general public
Close by: Store at Les Quatre Temps, an enormous shopping center; Fondation Louis Vuitton is about 4 kilometres southeast of the Arch on the sting of Bois du Boulogne.
Little Historical past: This monument and constructing have been created on account of a contest led by French President Francois Mitterrand with it’s unveiling on the bicentennial of the French Revolution, July 14, 1989.
Within the form of a dice and measuring 110 metres extensive and 110 metres excessive, the Arche was constructed to have fun humanitarian beliefs moderately than any navy victories. It is extremely fashionable and fairly a distinction to the “outdated” of Paris. As such, individuals both adore it or hate it.
4. Paris: La Porte Saint Martin
Location and Entry: On the intersection of Rue Saint-Martin, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, Boulevard Saint-Martin and Boulevard Saint-Denis. You can not go to the highest.
Close by: Stroll over to Canal Saint Martin and wander across the space and alongside the canal; simply southeast is a superb restaurant, Chez L’Ami Louis; stroll west alongside Boulevard Saint-Denis to the following arch/porte: La Porte Saint-Denis.
Little Historical past: One other triumphal arch in Paris! This one was inbuilt 1674, commissioned by King Louis XIV the place the bas-reliefs present his many victories. It’s small in comparison with the others, reaching a top of solely 18 metres. It’s known as a “Porte” as it’s within the location of a medieval gate that was used to fortify Paris.
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5. Paris: La Porte Saint-Denis
Location and Entry: intersection of Rue Saint-Denis, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, Boulevard de Bonne-Nouvelle and the Boulevard Saint-Denis. You can not go to the highest.
Little Historical past: This arch was additionally commissioned by King Louis XIV and it is vitally just like La Port Saint Martin. My because of Stefanie Talley of Free In Paris for the photograph!
Close by: Simply west is Musée Gourmand du Chocolat – Choco-Story, Musée Grévin, and simply southeast is Musée des Arts et Métiers.
6. Orange: Arc de Triomphe d’Orange
Location and Entry: in Orange, within the south of France. You can not go to the highest.
Close by: the arc is positioned simply outdoors of Orange and visiting the Théâtre Vintage d’Orange is a should.
Little Historical past: It’s no less than 2000 years outdated. There isn’t a definitive date as to when the arch was constructed; nonetheless, historians guess it was across the reign of Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). Within the south of France, the Roman affect was very sturdy the place there’s additionally the well-known Roman Theatre of Orange. The Arc measures 19 metres excessive and eight.4 metres extensive and based on the Orange Vacationer workplace, it’s devoted to the glory of the founders of the Roman colony of Orange.
7. Montpellier: Porte du Peyrou
Location and Entry: Rue Foch, simply east of Boulevard Ledru-Rollin close to the park, Jardin de Peyrou. You’ll be able to go to the highest.
Close by: Place Royale du Peyrou, the place a weekly market is held; Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier; Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier; stroll within the pedestrian-only space of downtown Montpellier.
Little Historical past: Constructed in 1693 and modeled after Porte Saint-Denis in Paris. 22 years after it’s building, bas-relief panels and inscriptions have been added to pay homage to King Louis XIV and a few of his battles.
8. Nancy: L’Arc Right here
Location and Entry: on the entrance to Place Stanislas. I don’t consider you’ll be able to go to the highest.
Close by: stroll across the space; stroll round Vieille Ville (Outdated City); go to Parc de la Pépinière and also you may catch a free live performance as I did, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy.
Little Historical past: Designed by Emmanuel Héré and constructed within the 1750s to honour King Louis XV. It is a crucial landmark in Nancy and connects Place Stanislas to Place de la Carrière. Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d’Alliance are listed as World Heritage websites by UNESCO.
9. Dijon: Porte Guillaume
Location and Entry: Within the 1700s, Porte Guillaume was town gate (St. William’s Gate) and was the doorway to town which was surrounded by partitions and ramparts. At the moment, it stands alone at Place Darcy and is positioned initially of Rue de la Liberté. It was designated a historic monument in 1938.
Close by: this triumphal arch was very spectacular. I walked from the prepare station and it led me to Dijon’s former medieval part. This space is now one among its grandest streets. Strolling eastward down Rue de la Liberté I entered the business purchasing district and encountered eating places, and well-known outlets like Maison Moutarde Maille and Mulot et Petitjean. Don’t miss the stunning park to the west, Jardin Darcy, which is on the Owl’s Stroll that I focus on in my put up about Distinctive Issues To Do In Dijon.
Little Historical past: Porte Guillaume was designed by Jean-Philippe Maret but it surely didn’t all the time have this title. The primary title for the arch was “Porte Condé” (for the Prince de Condé), then it modified to “Arc de la Liberté” (throughout the French Revolution), and at last within the nineteenth century, “Porte Guillaume” for Guillaume de Volpiano (William of Dijon).
A particular plaque was positioned on the monument on the event of the 220th anniversary of the French Revolution in 2009. It’s in reminiscence of Thomas Jefferson and the sturdy friendship between america and France.
10. Rouen: Le Gros-Horloge On The Renaissance Arch
Location and Entry: The Gros-Horloge arch spans rue du Gros-Horloge and is simply east of rue Jeanne d’Arc in Rouen. You’ll be able to take a tour of the belfry and and get perception into the tower’s historical past, mechanics of the clock, and have panoramic views of town.
Close by: The pedestrian avenue, rue du Gros-Horloge, leads you to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. Additionally it is very near the center of Rouen and the outdated city, Place Vieux-Marché the place Joan of Arc was executed. Along with Église Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc there are many historic buildings and eating places.
Little Historical past: I needed to embrace this arch due to the clock which is put in on the arch. The Gors-Horloge is likely one of the oldest and most stunning in France, relationship again to 1389. It was designated a Historic Monument in 1862.
The unique clock didn’t have a dial and was accomplished by Jean de Felain, named governor of the clock. Some attention-grabbing details:
- the facade, added in 1529, is a illustration of the solar with 24 rays and phases of the moon.
- there are lots of depictions of sheep (resembling on the finish of the hour dial) as wool is a crucial commerce in Rouen. Sheep are additionally a part of town’s coat of arms.
- underneath the numeral VI is a divine creature and this particular person signifies the day of the week (Ie. Apollo representing Sunday).
- there’s a 2.5 metre dial which signifies the hour; nonetheless, the clock has not been operational since 2022.
The 6 Gates Of Bordeaux
Town of Bordeaux was a part of the Roman empire and it was initially surrounded by partitions at totally different deadlines. To enter one must cross by a gate or porte. Throughout its historical past, there have been a complete of 6 gates, some related to the primary wall from the third century and a few related to a second wall within the 14th and fifteenth centuries. Finally, the partitions have been demolished however the gates stay. Throughout my visits I’ve been in a position to {photograph} 4 of the 6 gates. I’ll need to return at one other time to take photographs of Porte d’Aquitaine and Porte de la Monnaie.
11. Bordeaux: Porte de Bourgogne
Location and Entry: One of many main bridges in Bordeaux is Pont de Pierre and it connects the proper and left banks of the Garonne River. When you’ve crossed the bridge, you will notice Porte de Bourgogne (Burgundy Gate) at Place Bir Hakeim.
Close by: It’s a busy space with numerous automobiles heading up and down Cours Victor Hugo. There aren’t many eating places within the space and isn’t a touristy space. There are extra issues to see and do northwest of the realm, resembling Tour Pey Berland. Porte Cailhau is simply north of the gate.
Little Historical past: The Porte de Bourgogne has had two different names: Porte des Salinières and Porte Napoléon in honour of Napoléon’s go to to Bordeaux in 1808. The stone arch was constructed within the Roman model in 1757 by architect André Portier who was chargeable for designing most of the arches or gates in Bordeaux.
I couldn’t see any decorations or carvings on this triumphal arch. It was the principle entrance for these journeying on the principle highway from Paris to Bordeaux and was related to the second wall. In 1921 Porte de Bourgogne was designated a Historic Monument.
12. Bordeaux: Porte Cailhau
Location and Entry: Porte Cailhau is positioned in central Bordeaux, alongside the Garonne River, simply south of Place de la Bourse. It’s potential to entry the highest platform of this arch the place you will get panoramic views and be taught in regards to the historical past of this 500 12 months outdated monument. They permit 19 individuals to go to throughout a 3 hour time slot. It’s urged that you just guide a time slot prematurely to go to the arch. There are 4 flooring and 89 steps.
Close by: Place du Palais is the primary sq. you’ll encounter after you cross by Porte Cailhau. There are eating places and outlets on this space.
Little Historical past: Porte Cailhau, was often known as La Porte du Palais (and Porte de la Liberté, throughout the French Revolution). It was constructed between 1493 and 1496, as a part of Bordeaux’s fortifications in honour of Charles VIII, King of France. This triumphal arch was initially the principle entrance to town and was a part of the third century wall. The three sculptures on the facade symbolize King Charles VIII, Cardinal d’Épinay, and Saint John the Baptist.
13. Bordeaux: Porte Dijeaux
Location and Entry: From Miroir d’eau, at Place de la Bourse, stroll westward, alongside rue Saint-Rémi and rue de la Porte Dijeaux. You’ll stroll by one among Bordeaux’s outdated gates, Porte Dijeaux and shortly come across Place Gambetta, the place there’s a small park surrounded by outlets and cafés. You can not go inside or as much as the highest of this arch.
Close by: Positioned not removed from Porte Dijeaux to the southeast is Gambetta – Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design and to the northeast is the Grand Théâtre.
Little Historical past: Porte Dijeaux was one other a part of Bordeaux’s fortification and constructed within the mid 1700s. This was one other gate constructed by architect André Portier. It was initially known as Port Dauphine throughout Louis XV’s reign, in honour of the Dauphin (eldest son and inheritor). When Kings visited Bordeaux, they might undergo this royal gate. The title of the arch was modified to Porte Dijeaux after the French Revolution.
14. Bordeaux: Porte de la Grosse Cloche
Location and Entry: I feel Porte de la Grosse Cloche is likely one of the prettiest landmarks in Bordeaux due to the fifteenth century bell tower and clock. This gate is positioned proper close to Cours Victor Hugo and west of Porte de Bourgogne. At the moment you’ll be able to take a 30 minute tour of the previous dungeons the place younger prisoners have been held. [They were often adolescents or children!] The tour, nonetheless, they solely take 6 individuals at a time and the tour is barely in French.
Close by: The world is sweet to stroll round in with many outlets and cafés. Do contemplate visiting the realm and seeing the Porte at evening when it’s lit up.
Little Historical past: This porte goes again to medieval occasions and constructed within the fifteenth century. It grew to become the principle entrance into the outdated metropolis and was related to the third century wall.
Whereas it was a juvenile jail, it was additionally the belfry for the unique city corridor. As a result of the church subsequent door is Église Saint-Éloi, the gate was additionally known as Porte Saint-Éloi. One other title it was given was Porte Saint-James as a result of it was on the Santiago de Compostelle route. Designated a historic monument in 1886, the bell on the prime was rung for 2 causes:
- to alert the residents of a fireplace and
- to sign the beginning of the grape harvest.
The bell was solid in 1759 and weighs 7,800 kg. At the moment, it’s rung the primary Sunday of every month in addition to 5 different events throughout the 12 months (ie New 12 months’s Day and July 14).
Another arcs, arches, or portes that you just’ve found in France?
Map Indicating Areas Of Arches In France
Click on on the map or on this hyperlink and also you’ll be directed to a Google Map indicating all of the locations on this put up.
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