Passage du Souvenir, thoroughfare in Paris, France
Passage du Souvenir is an underground pedestrian tunnel beneath place Charles-de-Gaulle in Paris, connecting the Champs-Elysees to avenue de la Grande-Armee. The walkway is approximately 3 meters wide and features simple walls, soft indirect lighting, and a paved floor that guides people through its narrow corridor.
The passage was built in the late 1950s and named in 1970 to help pedestrians reach the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier without crossing the busy square above. From 1960 onward, pedestrians were required to use it, establishing it as a key route following post-World War II reconstruction efforts.
The name refers to remembrance of fallen soldiers, as it leads directly to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many visitors experience it as a quiet space for reflection on those who served in wars.
The passage is well connected to public transportation, particularly the Charles de Gaulle - Etoile metro station served by lines 1, 2, and 6, as well as RER line A. This convenient access makes it easy to use the tunnel to reach the Arc de Triomphe and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Inside the passage is a plaque honoring Gabriel Boissy, who suggested the eternal flame at the tomb, revealing that it serves as more than just a transit route. This modest but meaningful memorial highlights the connection between the tunnel and the legacy of remembrance.
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