The Luxor Obelisk (also referred to as Cleopatra's Needle) is a 23 metre tall Egyptian obelisk located at Place de la Concorde between the Champs-Elysees and Jardin de Tuileries. The monument is flanked by two large scale fountains known as the Fountain of Seas (Fontaine des Mers) and the Fountain of Rivers (Fontaine des Fleuves) and is one of many attractive monuments around the city.
Historically, the obelisk dates back around 3200 years and was originally located at the gates of Karnak at Luxor, it was gifted to Paris by Egypt in 1829 and erected at this location in 1836. The obelisk contains detailed hieroglyphs which can be viewed well from up close. The base includes more recent gold engravings. Similarly, the top was given a gold cap.
You can view the Luxor Obelisk well during the day when sky conditions are good or at night when the monument is lit by flood light. Interestingly, the obelisk sits approximately half way between the famous Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile and the smaller Arc de Triompe du Carrousel and can be viewed from either end of the straight line between the two Arc monuments.
Easy to spot, with its 23 meters height and the golden pointy end and its location in the middle of the biggest Paris square. An impressive historical piece, made in Egypt more than 3000 years ago.
Obelisque de Louxor was donated by Egypt and placed at the Place de la Concorde. This Obelisk of Luxor is about 3,000 year of age. One of the must-see spot in Paris.
The Egyptian Obelisque de Louxor is clearly visible on the Champs-Elysees in Paris when walking by the Louvre. Exquisitely carved amd about 3,000 years old one of a pair originally sitting at the temple of Luxor in Egypt. A gift to Paris.
One of Napoleon's stolen treasures from Egypt, this ancient tower sits in the middle of a traffic circle. Lots of noise and pollution, maybe not a suitable place for a piece of history?
