This structure, built and dedicated in honor of Napoleon's Victories, took 30 years, from 1806-1836, to construct. What was it called?

Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz, this grand structure was intended to honor the French army's triumphs. The construction of this iconic Parisian monument spanned three decades, finally being completed in 1836. Napoleon himself never saw the finished arch, as he died in 1821. Inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus, its design was on a much grander scale, standing 164 feet high and 148 feet wide.

The project faced several delays and changes in political power. After Napoleon's downfall, construction was halted and later resumed by King Louis XVIII. It was eventually inaugurated under the reign of King Louis-Philippe and was dedicated to the armies of the Revolution and the Empire. The monument's inner and outer surfaces are inscribed with the names of French victories and generals.

Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I, with an eternal flame that is rekindled every evening in a daily ceremony. This solemn addition in 1921 transformed the monument from a celebration of military victory into a revered symbol of national remembrance. Today, it remains a central point for major national events and parades in France.