The Arc de Triomphe is in the center of a roundabout that has 12 roads leading away from it, one of them is the Champs Elysees.  It was of course built on the orders of who else?...Napoleon after his victory at Austerlitz in 1805 to ensure that his men would "go home beneath triumphal arches."

Hey look it's us in front of the famous Arc de Triomphe! What a beautiful sunny September morning.

Not only did the Arc commemorate Napoleon's victories but it is also the location of the Tomb of the Unknown French Soldier.

Since we were there on a Sunday we got lucky to be there when there was no fee to go to the top of the Arc, so we did what any other reasonable person would do and climbed the 300 or so stairs to the top.  Here is a great view  to show some of the city of Paris as you look down one of the roads leading away from the Arc.