Luxor Obelisk

The red granite monument rises 23 meters high in the center of Place de la Concorde, displaying hieroglyphic inscriptions on each of its four sides.

Originally erected at Luxor Temple during the reign of Ramesses II around 1250 BCE, the obelisk arrived in Paris as a gift from Egypt in 1833.

The monument represents the first successful interpretation of Egyptian hieroglyphs and marks the start of modern Egyptology studies in France.

Bronze markers and nails embedded in the surrounding pavement transform the obelisk into a functioning sundial that indicates time through its cast shadow.

The installation process required a specially designed barge named Louxor and encountered numerous delays, including a dysentery epidemic affecting half the crew.

Location: 8th arrondissement of Paris

Inception: 1290 BCE

Height: 23 m

Made from material: stone

Part of: Luxor Temple

GPS coordinates: 48.86548,2.32113

Latest update: August 26, 2025 12:51