The Royal British Legion 

Paris Branch 

History - 4th August - Arc de Triomphe

A landmark in 1924 was the rekindling of the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe. The Unknown Soldier was in fact interred in 1921 and the ceremony of the rekindling of the flame commenced in 1923, and apart from the war years has continued ever since. It takes place every day of the year at 6.30 pm.

1924 is important for the Paris Branch because it was in that year that we were invited to be present, and to nominate someone to rekindle the flame on August 4th, the date Britain and her dominions declared war on Germany in 1914. This ceremony, apart from the war years, has continued ever since and is one of the highlights of the Royal British Legion's year. It is an impressive and moving ceremony.

 

 

picture: Arc de Triomphe - reanimation de la flamme
 

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