Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

I'm standing near Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, one of Europe's most famous monuments. It's a reminder that some things are built to last. I'm struck by the fact that this structure has lived longer than many humans currently breathing. It's a sobering thought, one that puts my own existence into perspective. As I look at the Arc, I'm aware of its grandeur, a quality that's hard to ignore. It's a feeling that's both humbling and unsettling, a reminder of the transience of human life.