L'Obélisque de la Concorde: discover a historic treasure donated by Egypt just a stone's throw from the Louvre

When a little piece of Egypt takes pride of place in the heart of Paris... At the crossroads of the Champs-Élysées and the Louvre Museum, theObélisque de la Concorde is one of the capital's must-see monuments. Foreign tourists are perhaps most familiar with it from films such as The Devil Wears Prada, in which the protagonists often drive around it at night, usually in a luxury car. A decorum that has become a symbol of Parisian chic and elegance, but one with a history of its own.

Originally, it was one of the obelisks from Luxor Temple in Egypt, dating from the 19th Dynasty and commissioned by Ramses II. The obelisk is made of syenite, a magmatic rock, and is 23 metres high and weighs 230 tonnes. It is covered with hieroglyphic inscriptions, including the cartouche of Ramses II, in which the king makes an offering to the god Amun-Ra. At its summit sits a 3.60-metre pyramidion clad in bronze and covered with gold leaf.

The monument was moved to the Place de la Concorde in 1836. It was originally a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt, Mehemet Ali, to France as a sign of goodwill, with the approval of Jean-François Champollion. Two obelisks were offered, but only one was cut down and transported to France. In exchange, Louis-Philippe I offered a copper clock in 1845, which today adorns the citadel in Cairo. The second obelisk, which had never left Egypt, was officially returned by François Mitterrand during his first term in office.

• To be read
• Paris's must-see monuments
• Free museums and monuments for young people under 26 in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
• Tips for the week of September 16 - 22, 2024 in Paris: free or cheap outings

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Today, theObelisk proudly dominates the Place de la Concorde, just across from the Jardin des Tuileries, the Louvre and its pyramid, a reminder of its origins. It also faces theMadeleine church, the Champs-Élysées and the Palais Bourbon, and is a photographer's and tourist's delight. It stands proudly, this summer 2024, at the heart of the Olympic site hosting the Breaking events, among others. And for the Paralympic Games, she's even the guest of honor at the opening ceremony. A true rockstar, we tell you!

Good to know: according to the Egyptians, the clock offered in exchange for the obelisk never worked. At least, that's what the people of Cairo say to this day, as it may have been damaged in transit.

Ephemeris for October 25 in Paris: Installation of the Luxor Obelisk on Place de la Concorde
On October 25, 1836, the Luxor Obelisk was erected in the center of the Place de la Concorde by order of King Louis-Philippe. Offered to France by the Viceroy of Egypt as a token of goodwill, the monolith arrived in Paris in 1833 after an incredible epic voyage on the waves. [Read more]