Travel Spotlight

Inside 'L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped': A Final Installation in Paris by the Late Artist Christo

This September, Paris will welcome a landmark installation by the monumental artist Christo, who, in partnership with his wife Jeanne-Claude, is best known for his transcendental, environmentally focused works of sculpture-architecture, including Running Fence in California (1972–76), The Umbrellas in Japan and California (1984–91), The Gates in New York's Central Park (1979–2005), The Floating Piers at Lake Iseo in Italy (2014–2016), and The London Mastaba on Serpentine Lake in London (2016–2018). Jeanne-Claude passed away in 2009, while Christo died of natural causes in New York last May. The first project from the pair since the artist’s passing, L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, will be realized posthumously by a team of experts, in partnership with Paris’ Centre des Monuments Nationaux and Centre Pompidou, who are working off of plans that Christo began back in 1962, when he was renting an apartment near the iconic monument and was struck with inspiration. 

At 165 feet tall, the Arc de Triomphe ranked as the world's tallest arch for more than a century after its completion in 1836. Although today it is no longer the world’s tallest arch, it certainly is one of the most iconic, continuing to attract millions of visitors in the City of Light who come to the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, where it stands in honor of the soldiers who served in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, as well as World War I.Starting Saturday, September 18, the Arc de Triomphe will be enveloped in over 80,000 feet of ephemeral-blue, recyclable polypropylene fabric—the signature material of Christo and Jeanne-Claude—tied with nearly 10,000 feet of French-red rope. In total, the installation will amount to a €14 million investment, funded in its entirety by the Christo estate. This once-in-a-lifetime installation will only be on view for 16 days before being dismantled—a momentary gift from the vibrantly creative duo.
Throughout the installation, the Arc de Triomphewill remain open to the public, who can explore the interiors and famous panoramic terrace under its new visage. As with previous Christo exhibitions, visitors will also be able to take home swatches of the fabric as a souvenir.In partnership with The Wall Street Journal, Indagare has curated an exclusive experience that will provide special access to L’Arc de Triomphe before it opens to the public on the morning of the 29th, in the company of its curators. The experience will also include a special welcome breakfast on the terrace and three-nights’ accommodations at one of our favorite hotels in Paris. Click here to learn more and secure your attendance.Contact Indagare or your Trip Designer to learn more about planning safe and meaningful trips, this year and beyond. Our team can provide information on destination requirements, hotel policies and insurance options, transportation and much more.

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