The installation of L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris, Place de l'Étoile-Charles de Gaulle) began yesterday, Thursday July 15th , 2021. On view from Saturday, September 18th to Sunday, October 3 rd , 2021, the temporary work of art by of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, was finalized by Christo and is being realized by his team, in partnership with the Centre des monuments nationaux (CMN), the government institution that manages the Arc de Triomphe.

The Arc de Triomphe monument will be wrapped in 25,000 square meters of recyclable silvery blue polypropylene fabric and 3,000 meters of recyclable red polypropylene rope. The project is entirely funded by the Estate of Christo V. Javacheff through the sale of original artworks by Christo, including preparatory studies and collages, models, works from the 1950s and 1960s and lithographs. Like all of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's projects, it will receive no public funds or sponsorships. Throughout the duration of the L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, including the installation (from July 15th to September 17th , 2021) and dismantling (from October 4 th to November 10th , 2021), the interiors and the panoramic terrace of the monument, managed by the CMN, will remain open to the public.

The Eternal Flame, in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, will continue to burn throughout set-up and dismantling, as well as during the display of the artwork. As always, veterans, associations and volunteers committed to the values of the French Republic will ensure the continuity of remembrance. The daily ceremony of rekindling the flame that pays homage to the Unknown Soldier and those who lost their lives fighting for France will take place in the solemnity required.

Access during the wrapping During the entire project, Parisians and Paris aficionados will be able to experience L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, from the place de l’Etoile, at the highest point of the Champs-Elysées. Christo and Jeanne-Claude have always prioritized access to their works in public spaces. Over 300 welcome monitors will be on site to greet visitors and answer questions about the project.They will also hand out free fabric samples.

As always access to the monument’s interiors and the panoramic terrace is possible with a ticket (available onsite in the tunnel on the Champs-Elysées side). As of today, visitors can also book a time stamped ticket online. For public safety reasons, flow regulation measures may be enacted on the platform of the Arc de Triomphe. Inside the monument, tours will continue and will include details on Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s project. Inside the museum, there will also be a preparatory model of the artwork, and a screen highlighting some of the past projects of Christo and Jeanne-Claude with animated 3D maps). The fabric will also cover the terrace of the Arc de Triompthe, allowing the visitors to walk on it.

“Over thirty years after the Pont Neuf wrapping, the wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe by Christo and Jeanne-Claude will be an event with global resonance, and the Centre des monuments nationaux is delighted to make possible”, said Philippe Bélaval, President of the Centre des monuments nationaux. “From everywhere, millions of eyes will be looking at this iconic monument of Paris and French history. After two difficult years, heritage and art creation will unite to offer to the public an unforgettable moment of shared joy”. About L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris, Place de l’Etoile – Charles de Gaulle)

In 1961, three years after they met in Paris, Christo and Jeanne-Claude began creating temporary works of art in public spaces. In 1961, Christo imagines wrapping the Arc de Triomphe. In 1962, he created a photomontage with the Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, seen from Foch Avenue, and again featured the Arc de Triomphe wrapped in a collage in 1988. He began actively developing this project in 2017, and now almost 60 years later, it will finally be realized. “It will be like a living object who will move in the wind and reflect the light. With its moving folds, the monument's surface will become sensual. People will want to touch the Arc de Triomphe,” Christo said in 2020. The project was submitted to the Centre des Monuments Nationaux by the Centre Pompidou, which organized the exhibition “Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Paris!” in 2020, and has the support of the City of Paris.

The Centre des monuments nationaux, which ensures the conservation and opening of the Arc de Triomphe on behalf of the national state, is pleased about the realization of a project that demonstrates its commitment to contemporary art creation and that honors one of the most emblematic monuments in Paris and in France.