The Arc de Triomphe is the Paris landmark used as the visual centerpiece of France's famous New Year's Eve celebration on the Champs-Élysées.
Large crowds traditionally gather along the avenue, while projections and fireworks or light displays may be presented around the monument. The program can change from year to year, so the exact format is not always identical. The Arc's position at the western end of the Champs-Élysées makes it a natural focal point for national and international broadcasts.
Napoleon commissioned the monument in 1806 after the Battle of Austerlitz, but construction continued through political changes and it was completed in 1836. It honors those who fought for France, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been located beneath it since 1921.
The Arc de Triomphe is often confused with the Eiffel Tower because both are symbols of Paris. The Eiffel Tower may appear in holiday images and celebrations, but the Champs-Élysées countdown traditionally centers on the Arc de Triomphe.