Arc de Triomphe, Paris

[Philip]

In 1806 the Emperor Napoleon I ordered the building of two triumphal arches in the French capital, because a single triumphal arch wasn't enough. One was built at the Carrousel, facing the Chateau of the Tuileries. This one was burnt down by the Paris Commune in 1871. The other one, the subject of this model, was erected on top of the Etoile Hill at the end of the Champs Elysees. Work was begun, but after Napoleon's fall from grace in 1815 the project was abandoned, only to be revived by Charles X thirteen years later. The calcium layers of the Etoile were not solid enough to support the weight of the enormous structure and so a pit over 8 metres deep had to be dug to accommodate a false foundation. 1836 saw the completion of the enterprise. Among those who have passed beneath it's arches are Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Victoria, Prussian troops, and Victor Hugo (in his coffin). The remains of the Unknown Soldier were interred under the arch in 1920. A flame was lit to commemorate the sacrifice of this soldier and of all those who have died for France during hostilities. The flame has been rekindled every day since at 6.30pm. It has been extinguished only once, by a drunken tourist during the 1988 World Cup. I hesitate to think how the tourist managed it.

Published by L'Instant Durable in 1984, the kit involved the collaboration of L'Association Theatre et Musique, Marike de Bussac, Jean-Marie Lebouc, Bernadette Roberjot, Benedicte Tezenas and Elisabeth Zehrfuss. That's quite a crowd. Scale is 1:250. The arches and ornamental shields feature the names of 30 victories, 95 battles and 652 heroes, all of which are reproduced on the model, although you need a magnifying glass to read them. All in all, the build was a pleasant experience despite the tricky bits.

The real thing: Welcome to the Arc de triomphe

A bientot, mes amis.

[missileer]

Wonderful build! And a highly detailed kit. Is it still available somewhere in the market place?

John

[Michael Mash]

Beautiful work.
I like image number 5, showing the decorated roof.

[Vermin_King]

Originally Posted by Michael Mash

Beautiful work.
I like image number 5, showing the decorated roof.

No kidding! Looking at other models of this beautiful structure, most ignore what can't be seen from the ground.

Nice work, sir

[Philip]

Thank you for your interest, friends. Always happy to see you.

missileer: I'm afraid I can't answer your question. L'Instant Durable disappeared from the internet a few years ago. One person who may be able to help you would be Diderick a den Bakker, a forum member who has an online shop. You can contact him from here: https://www.papermodelers.com/forum/...en-bakker.html

Good Luck!

[missileer]

Philip,

Thanks for the contact and thanks for the history lesson. I never knew that there were 2 arches,

John

[Revell-Fan]

Awesome model. The detail work is stunning.

[modelperry]

Originally Posted by missileer

Wonderful build! And a highly detailed kit. Is it still available somewhere in the market place?

John

I have one in the RJM estate. Are you going to be at the IPMC convention in Sterling VA next month? If so, I'll make sure I have it with me.

Greg