Reading the Reliefs: Iconography Masterclass on Stone Narratives
A guided tour through allegory, composition, and carving technique in the Arc’s monumental reliefs — from Liberty’s cry to peace’s calm.
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Wrapped Monument: Christo and Jeanne‑Claude’s 2021 Project
Concept, logistics, reception, and legacy of the Arc’s temporary transformation — ephemerality as a way of seeing anew.
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Look Closer: Hidden Details and Symbols on the Arc
Underlined names for the fallen, laurel and standards, tool marks — a treasure hunt in stone and meaning.
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Stone and Vision: Foundations, Massing, and Structural Logic
A deep architectural read: how foundations, massing, and structural strategies compose the Arc’s enduring stability and clarity.
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Living Memory: The Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame
History, meaning, and choreography of the daily rekindling: how ritual turns stone into a living memorial.
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Geometry and Grammar: Proportions, Vaults, and Entablatures
A precise analysis of the Arc’s neoclassical grammar — vaults, orders-by-abstraction, entablature, and ratio effects on perception.
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Urban Axis: The Arc and Paris’s Axe Historique
How the Arc anchors the historic axis from the Louvre to La Défense — a line of ceremony, power, and movement.
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Civic Stage: Ceremonies and National Identity at the Arc
From Armistice Day to nightly rekindling — how ritual practices at the Arc renew civic memory and bind generations.
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Visit Smart: Tickets, Hours, Access, and View Strategies
Plan like a pro: ticket types, hours, entry flow, and seasonal timing to optimize views and comfort.
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Accessible Arc: Inclusive Visiting and Wayfinding
Practical tips for mobility, vision, hearing, and sensory needs — elevator access, quiet times, and wayfinding.
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Frame the Arch: Photography Angles, Light, and Composition
Vantage points, gear, timing, and composition recipes to capture the Arc’s reliefs, massing, and skyline context.
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War and Memory: The Arc in WWI & WWII
From mourning to liberation marches — how the Arc framed key 20th‑century moments and sustained civic memory.
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Arches Across Time: Comparing Triumphal Arches Worldwide
Rome to Berlin to London — what Paris’s Arc adds to a global tradition of triumphal structures and civic gates.
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Keeping the Stone Alive: Conservation and Restoration
Campaigns, methods, structural checks, and ethics that preserve the Arc’s reliefs and stonework for generations.
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On the Roof: Terrace Views and How to Read the Skyline
Orientation tips and landmark bearings — Eiffel Tower, La Défense, Montmartre — plus view strategies by light.
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Grand Avenue: The Arc and the Champs‑Élysées
Parade route, shopping boulevard, and sightline discipline — how the Arc and the avenue co‑author a grand urban theater.
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Around the Arch: Navigating the Traffic Circle Safely
Underpass-only access, step-by-step orientation, and a quick ASCII sketch to move confidently.
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Smart Booking: Tickets, Bundles, and Pairings
Timed entry, refund policies, and pairing the Arc with cruises or museums for value and flow.
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Around the Arc: Nearby Attractions and Half‑Day Itinerary
A flexible plan to center the Arc while exploring the western Right Bank — walks, coffee, and views.
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Names in Stone: Inscriptions and Symbolism Explained
Battles on the outer surfaces, generals in the passage, underlines for the fallen — how to read the Arc’s inscriptions.
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Family-Friendly Arc: Visiting with Kids
Make the Arc engaging and safe for children: scavenger hunts, skyline bingo, pacing, and etiquette.
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Timeline: Key Dates in the Life of the Arc
From commission to ceremonies to art interventions — a concise timeline of milestones.
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Makers of the Monument: Architects and Sculptors
Short profiles of Chalgrin, Huyot, Rude, and the teams whose division of labor kept the Arc coherent over decades.
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Logistics: Entrances, Elevator, and Stairs
Underpass entry, ticketing, elevator use, and stairs to terrace — queue savers and comfort tips.
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Arc FAQ: Visiting Questions Answered
How long to visit, best times, ceremonies, elevator, food, and photo rules — quick, practical answers.
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