NEAPOLIO IMP AVG
MONVMENTVM BELLI GERMANICI
ANNO MDCCCV
TRIMESTRI SPATIO DVCTV SUO PROFLIGATI

EX AERE CAPTO
GLORIAE EXERCITVS MAXIMI DICAVIT

The column in the center of Place Vendome was placed by Napoleon in 1810 to mark his victory in the Battle of Austerlitz (a battle fought in 1805 between Napoleon’s army and the forces of the Russian-Austrian alliance and held in the territory of the Austrian Empire - now an area belonging to the Czech Republic).
The column is made of bronze made from the cannons taken as spoils in battle.
At the top of the column is the statue of Napoleon Bonaparte. The first statue was made by Antoine Denis Chaudet but was removed in 1814, the current statue was made by Auguste Dumont Click for a larger image

The column has been declared a historical heritage site of France

The column was taken on the same day Click for a larger image Click for a larger image

At the base of the page are illustrations of the battle
Click for a larger image Click for a larger image Click for a larger image Click for a larger image

The column itself rises to a height of 44.3 meters and also has descriptions of battles made by dozens of sculptors Click for a larger image

Translation of the text on the sign:
Napoleon Emperor Augustus dedicated to the glory of the Grande Armée this column created from bronze captured from the enemy during the German War, a victory achieved under his command in 1805 in three months