The Column - 44 metres high - is comprised of a stone core, encased in the bronze of 1250 cannons captured at the Battle of Austerliz (1805). It was designed by Denon, Gondouin, and Lepère and modeled in the style of Trajan's Column in Rome. The column was built over a period of four years, from 1806 to 1810. The spiral bronze bas-relief was created by Bergeret.