The Needle

UPDATE:

We just happen to be in Paris today and although I've passed this monument before, I didn't realize it is the "sister" to the one we also saw in London.

So, this is Cleopatra's Needle in Paris.

Cleopatra's Needle

While this is in fact an ancient Egyptian obelisk, it was already over 1000 years old in Cleopatra's lifetime. It's a popular name for three obelisks re-erected in Paris, London, and New York City. Originally erected in Heliopolis in 1450 B.C., it was moved to Alexandria by the Romans in 12 B.C. It was presented to the U.K. in 1819 from the ruler of Egypt, but not actually transported to London until 1877.

During WWI, a bomb landed near the needle. In commemoration of this event, the damage remains unrepaired and is clearly visible.