Orange - Arc de Triomphe

Orange was founded in 35 BC by Roman veterans as Arausio. The full
name was "Colonia Julia Firma Secundanorum Arausio", what means
"Julian colony of Arausio established by the soldiers of the second legion."

The arch was probably erected during the reign of Augustus on the former Via Agrippa (now RN7). In 27 AC it was reconstructed by Emperor Tiberius, when a inspription was done, celebrating the victories of Germanicus over the German tribes.

In medieval times the arch was integrated into the town's walling and was the northern gate of Orange. Restoration works were done in the since the 1820s, when all medieval addons got removed. Many lost parts were "recreated", mainly on the western (left) side.

The structure measures 19,57 meters long by 8,40 meters wide, standing to a height of 19,21 meters.

Over centuries vandals carved names names into the arch. This one is just little more than a century old (1897).