[1] It was designed by Emmanuel Héré de Corny to honor the French king Louis XV and was built between 1752 and 1755.

The top of the Arc bears an inscription reading: "HOSTIUM TERROR / FOEDERUM CULTOR / GENTISQUE DECUS ET AMOR" ("terror of the enemies, maker of treaties, and the glory and love of his people"), referring to Louis XV.

[4] Above the inscription is an acroterion comprising gilded statues of Minerva, Pax (the Roman goddess personifying peace), and Fama (the Roman goddess personifying glory), all surrounding a medallion of Louis XV.

[5] Below the inscription are three marble bas reliefs taken from the old royal gateway that stood here before the construction of the Arc; they were retained for their depictions of Apollo, to whom Louis XV was often compared in imagery and art.

The original white marble medallion of Louis XV on top of the Arc was destroyed during the French Revolution.