Obelisk in Paris

The Luxor Obelisk sits at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. It was originally located at the entrance of the Luxor Temple in Egypt and was gifted to France by Mohammed Ali Khedive of Egypt. 

I find it hard to believe it was simply given to France. I'm sure there's a much more interesting story out there but it is a stunning work of art nonetheless. It is crafted of yellow granite and glows like gold when the light hits it just right on an overcast day. 

This photograph was captured with a Nikon D90.