The world’s largest headstone
Don’t mind me, while I stand here and text in front of the world’s largest headstone!
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Or
Indulge me for a moment as I elaborate on my previous comment.
If there is anything you’d recognize as a symbol of Paris other than the Eiffel Tower, it definitely has to be what you see behind me.
The headstone was commissioned in 1806 by Emperor Napoleon for his triumphant victory at Austerlitz. It was at a time when he also was at his greatest wealth. Originally, it was made of wood, but when Napoleon made his way to Paris from Austria with his bride, Marie Louise, he needed a symbol of grandeur, Thus, the Arc de Triomphe was born.
It sits on the right bank of the river Seine of Paris directly positioned in the centre of 12 avenues, one of them being the famed Champs-Élysées.
Here is the part you probably didn’t know. Beneath the Arc at ground level lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This Unknown Soldier was laid to rest in 1921, in honor of the 1.3 million French soldiers who fought and lost their lives in WWII. You probably also never noticed that every day at 6:30 pm local time an eternal flame is rekindled.
Next time you’re in Paris, visit the Arc. Be mindful because it sits in the center of 12 different avenues; traffic to cross over to the Arc is treacherous. Hence the reason the French built a couple of tunnels for you to safely cross the street. Once you’re there, you can go upstairs to the viewing platform atop the Arc for an amazing view.
À la prochaine fois que vous visiterez Paris, jusque-là au revoir
