How was the Arc de Triomphe built?

Answer 1

The square on the top of the Chaillot Hill has been known as PLACE DE L'ÉTOILE since the eighteenth century. Étoile means star, and already in those days five avenues met there. In 1854 the square was redesigned with twelve avenues. In the centre of the star stands the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile.

The arc was commissioned to be built by Napoleon Bonaparte, but he was no longer in power when it was finished. Louis-Philippe was the king. The arch was designed by Jean François Chalgrin based on the Roman Arch of Titus.

In 1806 Napoleon I asked the architect Chalgrin to construct a gigantic triumphal arch in honor of the French Army. The top of the Chaillot hill had to be levelled, and the foundations gave some difficulty, so that by the time the new Empress Marie-Louise arrived in 1810, the arch was only a few feet high. As the Emperor insisted that his bride must drive into Paris through this new gateway, Chalgrin had to get friends from the Theatres of Paris to construct a fake arch of wood and canvas for the occasion. When Napoleon was defeated and exiled in 1814, work stopped, not to be started again till Louis-Philippe ordered it in 1832. It was finished in 1836. When Napoleon's body was brought back from St. Helena in 1841, the cortège was able to pass under the arch.

Answer 2

The Arc de Triomphe was built in two separate periods: 1806-1814 and 1832-1836 (so in the nineteenth century). The construction lasted a total of 12 years and the Arc will be 178 years old as of 2014.

In 1806 the emperor Napoleon decides to build the monument to comemorate the French armies' victories, and as part of a redesign of the Champs Elysees avenue. The project was to make the Arc a monumental entrance to a triumphal avenue, which would have been longer than the modern one.

- The construction begins in August 1806. Two years are needed for the foundations and in 1810, the four pillars are only one metre high. At the demise of Napoleon, in 1814, the vaults are built, but the return of the monarchy stops the building. No progress is made until 1824 when new architects are commissionned.

- In 1830, the King Louis-Philippe decides on the definitive design, including the statues as a gesture of reconciliation. The building work resumes in 1832 and the arc is finally inaugurated in July 1836.

Answer 3

In 1806 Napoleon commissioned the architect Jean-François CHALGRIN to construct a gigantic triumphal arch in honour of the French Army. Chalgrin died in 1811 and one of his associates carried the work over until early 1814, when Napoleon was defeated. The work stopped then, not to be started again till Louis-Philippe ordered it in 1832. The architects Goust and Huyot, worked for that second period. Still, Chalgrin is credited with the design. It was finished in 1836.

Answer 4

The Arc de Triomphe is built out of stone (a white, hard variety of limestone);

It was built using traditional techniques of masonry, especially in relation with stonework.

Large blocks of stone were laid as foundations to support the arc. The foundations wells are eight metres deep. During the elevation, the large stone blocks were hoisted in place. Temporary supports were set up when the arched vaults were constructed.