Dickens's Dictionary of Paris, 1882: An Unconventional Handbook

A (ARC-AVE)

Arc de l'Étoile, sometimes called Arc de Triomphe; see also next article, where the difference is explained. – This huge archway stands at the top of the Avenue des Champs Élysées. It is the largest triumphal arch that has been built in modern times, and the cost of its erections was nearly 10,000,000f., or £400,000 sterling. The Municipal Council of Paris, acting under the orders of Napoleon 1., decided upon its erection to commemorate the campaign of the Grande Armée in Russia, and the first stone was laid on the anniversary of Napoleon's birthday, the 15th August, in the year 1806. Chalgrin was the architect first entrusted with the work; which was afterwards continued by other men, and finished at last in 1836. The monument was inaugurated on the 29th of July in that year. The foundations were dug to a depth of 25 feet below the level of the ground. The height of the arch above the ground is 152 feet, its width 138 feet, its thickness 68 feet. the main archway measures 90 feet in height and 45 in width; the smaller lateral archways are each 57 feet by 25. On each side of the central arch facing the , are two colossal groups cut in full-relief, representing The Departure, and The Triumph; above these are two bas-relief, showing the Honours paid to General Marceau after his Death, and the Victory of Aboukir. On the other side of the arch, facing Neuilly, the lower groups represent Pease and Resistance; the bas-relief above them show the Taking of Alexandria, and the Passage of the Pont d'Arcole. On the frieze that runs all around the arch immediately underneath the cornice there is a long bas-relief, the work of six artists, representing on the side facing Paris and the halfway over the lateral arches, The Departure of the Armies; and on the opposite side, the side facing Neuilly, and also halfway over the lateral arches, The Return of the Armies. The figures upon this frieze are 6 ½ feet high. On that part of the entablature above the cornice there are thirty bucklers, each one bearing the name of a victory. Fifteen of these names are of battles gained under the Republic, and fifteen were gained under the Empire. The lateral sides of the arch are adorned also with bas-relief; on the right side there is a Battle of Austerlitz, and on the left side the Battle of Jemmapes. Inside the arcades there are the names of 384 marshals, generals, lieutenant-generals, and generals of divisions; and the name of those who fell on the field of battle are underlined.

There are two staircases inside the great arch, by which one may mount to the top; and on a Sunday or a fete-day, if the weather is fine, the crowd of people is often very considerable. The view obtained is well worth the trouble of the ascent, but it is perhaps not so interesting as that from the towers of Notre Dame, or from the Tour de St. Jacques.

Omnibuses and Tramways are always to be found close to the arch; and there is a Station de Voitures at the top of the Champs Élysées.

Arc du Carrousel was built in 1806, after the designs of Fontaine and Percier, and was placed opposite to the different additions you may gradually learn from it how much money you have to pay. (See also Cabs.) It may be well, however, to repeat here very shortly what would be the cab fares in such cases. Simply hiring a cab to go from one part of Paris to another, you pay by the course. For such cabs as are found in railway stations and upon the public thoroughfare the fare is: For a carriage with two places (that is, constructed to carry two passengers), 1f. 50c.; for a carriage with four places (or constructed to carry four passengers), 1f. 80c. In addition, luggage is charged 25c. for every piece not ordinarily carried in the hand; but beyond 75c. there is not extra charge demanded. If you have much luggage you may it at 1f. There is also driver's pourboire, which coming from the railway station should be from 30c. to 50c. There are hotels at which you may ask the concierge to pay the cab for you; but there are other hotels at which such a request would be politely refused. The proprietor may know nothing of his new customer, and may say that in his establishment the practice is not usual.