Arc de Triomphe
When I saw the Arc de Triomphe I couldn’t help but reflect that over the channel where I live the English were busy erecting defences rather than congratulatory monuments. [Although Nelson won his great naval battle in 1805, Nelson’s column celebrating this was not commenced until 1840]. The Arc was commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Napoleon at the peak of his fortunes. Napoleon died on May 5, 1821 but in 1840, his remains were brought back to France from Saint Helena, passing under the Arc on their way to the Emperor's final resting place at the Invalides.
Arc de Triomphe
When I saw the Arc de Triomphe I couldn’t help but reflect that over the channel where I live the English were busy erecting defences rather than congratulatory monuments. [Although Nelson won his great naval battle in 1805, Nelson’s column celebrating this was not commenced until 1840]. The Arc was commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Napoleon at the peak of his fortunes. Napoleon died on May 5, 1821 but in 1840, his remains were brought back to France from Saint Helena, passing under the Arc on their way to the Emperor's final resting place at the Invalides.