Arc de Triomphe detail

The theme letter for our ‪‎travel pics this week is U, for Under.

We start with Underneath the Arches – but not the Flanagan and Allen song  … Instead, it’s the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Designed in 1806, to 50 metre high arch honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, and beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

The names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces, and the facades of the arch (to the outside of the arcades – in this picture Roman legendary figures blowing trumpets) represent important Revolutionary and Napoleonic moments.

Above that is a frieze of soldiers … and above that, shields representing great French victories.