Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel stands as a striking Neoclassical monument in the Place du Carrousel, situated between the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden. Distinct from the larger Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, this arch was constructed between 1806 and 1808 by architects Charles Percier and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine. It was originally designed to commemorate Napoleon’s military victories in the Wars of the Third and Fourth Coalitions and served as the grand entrance to the Tuileries Palace.

Standing 19 meters high, the structure features a Corinthian order design with a 21-foot central arch flanked by two smaller arches. Eight marble Corinthian columns, recovered from the Château de Meudon, support the structure. Each column is topped by a statue of a soldier from the Grand Army, including dragoons, grenadiers, and sappers. The arch displays bas-reliefs depicting key historical events such as the Surrender at Ulm and the Battle of Austerlitz. Originally crowned by the bronze "Horses of Saint Mark's" from Venice, the quadriga was replaced after 1815 and later completed with an allegory of the Restoration.

Visitors can walk around the base to admire the detailed sculptures and enjoy unobstructed views of the Champs-Elysées, especially after the Tuileries Palace was destroyed in 1871. The arch’s proportions are derived from the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome, offering a refined example of early 19th-century architecture. Located near major attractions, it provides a quiet moment for reflection on Napoleonic history. The site is freely accessible, allowing travelers to appreciate its artistic and historical significance without cost. It serves as a poignant reminder of Paris’s complex imperial past, blending military commemoration with architectural elegance in the heart of the city.