Place de la Nation is famous for being the gateway to Paris located in the Eastern side of Paris.

As for the western gateway to Paris, you will find Napoleon Bonaparte's famous Arc de Triomphe.

Even if Paris is a big city, it's easy to remember its geography to know where the most important places to see are.
All the most important spots are located on a line which starts at place de la Nation and which finishes at Place de l'Etoile - Arc de Triomphe ;)
Let's mention for instance the Place de la Bastille, the Châtelet district, the Louvre museum, the Place de la Concorde with the Luxor Obelisk, the Champs Elysées avenue and the Arc de Triomphe.
Have a look on the map over here, you'll see ;)

The entrance to Paris is represented by two big columns called "Barrière du Trône".
Barrière du Trône is one of the 61 remaining gates which used to be a toll for product that was entering Paris from 1785 to 1948.

On the top of the Paris Vincennes Column gates, you will see:

• the statue of Philippe Auguste; French King from 1180 to 1223 who established his kingdom in Normandy (a former territory under England's control)
• the statue of Saint Louis (also called Louis IX). Saint Louis was the French King from 1226 to 1270, and Philippe Auguste's grandson. Saint Louis is known for being a pacifist king who set up peace with England.

In the center of the Place de la Nation roundabout you will see Republic's Triumph statue.
Republic's Triumph statue was built in Place de la Nation in 1889 to honor the Republic, one century after the 1789 French revolution.

This big bronze statue represents a chariot drawn by two lions.
The Republic statue is surrounded by different figures:

• The genius of the liberty show the way to the Republic
• Working values are represented by a blacksmith pushing the chariot;
• This blacksmith is helped by the Justice and Abundance which are at the end of the Republic closing the way by sowing fruits and seeds as symbols of prosperity 

If you want to admire the Place de la Nation statue, go along the roundabout, you will find a pedestrian crossing in rue Fabre d'Eglantine ;)

A sample of Place de la Nation:

How to get to Place de la Nation: Place de la Nation, 75012 Paris

• M1-2-6-9, RER A Nation
  Bus: 26-56-57-86-351
  Vélib' (City Bike): 11013, 11014, 12014 Place de la Nation
  Noctilien (Night Bus): N11 Place de la Nation

• Maps: