Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

I started my second day in Paris by visiting one of the most notable landmarks in Paris - L'Arc de Triomphe.

This iconic structure stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle (originally named Place de l'Étoile)
It was inaugurated in 1836 to honor those who fought in the French Revolution and in the Napoleonic Wars.

If you walk under the Arc you will see there lies beneath the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War 1.

As I walked around it, I realized that the arc is beautifully designed and is a grand structure.

For those who enjoy hiking, climb up to the top which has only 284 steps or else take the elevator and go up from where the panoramic view of Paris city is breathtaking. 

                       

You can see the different avenues around it, Av de la Grande Armée heads northwest to the skyscraper district of La Défense, from where you can see the Grande Arche which is a building which is hollow in the middle. 

 On the west end there's the lovely and very famous street Champs-Élysées.
You can see Sacre-Coeur, Eiffel Tower and many other iconic monuments in the distance. 

                        From the top it really looks like you are standing in the middle of a star. 

                       

This arc should not be confused with the smaller arch, the Arc de Tiomphe du Carrousel which stands west of the Louvre. Some pictures attached so you can spot the difference.