Paris - Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel - 1er

Plate IX - Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

I am constantly surprised by how few first time visitors to Paris are aware that there are two Napoleonic triumphal arches in the city. I have overheard travelers commenting on how little the Arc de Triomphe is when viewing this, the smallest of the three arches along the historical axis. I have taken some delight in pointing along the Champs Elysées to the ‘real’ Arc de Triomphe, which at over twice the size of this one, I can assure them will meet their size expectations!!!

What I cannot assure them of is that the more famous Arc de Triomphe up the road can match this one in sheer beauty. Surrounding the exterior of the Carrousel Arch are eight granite Corinthian columns mounted by soldiers of the Napoleonic Empire. Reputedly modeled on the Roman Constantine Arch, the Carrousel Arch was completed in 1808 and was designed by Charles Percier and Pierre Léonard Fontaine. Decorative bas-relief friezes are carved in rose marble, and the work on the interior of the arches is breathtaking. Prior to their return to Venice in 1815 the arch was surmounted by the horses of Saint Mark’s Cathedral (a Napoleonic conquest). These were replaced by a Francois Joseph Bosio sculpture of  a chariot-riding Peace led on either side by golden Victories. Ironically the piece recognises the fall of Napoleon, and the brief restoration of the monarchy.