While the French didn't invent the triumphal arch, they have earned a reputation as being the modern culture that is best at preserving this tradition. The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to celebrate his military conquests, especially the one at Austerlitz. Carved around the top of the arch are the names of all of Napoleon's great victories. His less-extraordinary victories are carved inside the arch along with the names of 558 generals, the ones who died in battle are underlined.. Today it is less about Napoleon, and more a memorial to the soldiers who died in service to France. The Arc de Triomphe is modeled on the Arch of Constantine in Rome, but is twice its size -- 164 feet high and 148 feet wide. The right side of the arch (facing the Champs Élysées) features a relief by Rude called "The Departure of the Volunteers in 1792", but better known as "La Marseillaise." The left side is Cortot's rendering of Napoleon's Triumph of 1810. Facing away from the city is the resistance of 1814 and the Peace of 1815, both by Etex. The arch is a landmark in Paris because of its mass, it's beauty and the fact that 12 boulevards converge on its location. Only five streets met at this location in 1730 when the decision was made to put a monument in this location. But the remaining seven were added in Haussman's redesign of Paris from 1853 to 1870. It would have been a landmark with or without Napoleon. The original plans for this location included a huge hotel in the shape of an elephant complete with ballrooms and a theater. Though a number of elephant hotels have been built around the world, this one was not to be.

• May 22, 1885 - The body of Victor Hugo laid in state under the Arc de Triomphe.
• February 21, 1916 - The day the Battle of Verdun started, the sword carried by the figure representing France broke off. The relief was hidden from the public so they wouldn't see it as a sign of misfortune to come.
• November 11, 1920 - France's Unknown Soldier was buried under the arch. Every November 11th since then (Armistice Day), the French President lays a wreath at this location.
• December 14, 2000 - Stuntman Hughes Richard rides a mountain bike up the arch's 284 steps in 17 minutes 30 to draw attention to nævus disease.