triomphe

Triomphe is a French noun meaning triumph, and it is commonly used as a proper name for monuments, places, and decorative or commemorative purposes. The most famous instance is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, one of the city’s best-known landmarks. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte after his military victories in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the monument was designed to honor those who fought for France. Construction ran from 1806 to 1836, and it stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, at Place Charles de Gaulle. The Arc houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I, and an eternal flame is kept burning to commemorate the dead. The site is a focal point for national ceremonies, including the annual Bastille Day military parade.

Beyond Paris, the name Triomphe appears in various geographic and cultural contexts within French-speaking regions, including towns, streets, and districts. Its use as a place name underscores associations with victory, memory, and national pride. In broader encyclopedic usage, Triomphe may also appear in titles of cultural works or commemorations that reference triumph or victory.

See also Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile; Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.