The oldest historical monument in Paris is getting a makeover. The Luxor obelisk, a gift from Egypt to France, erected on the Place de la Concorde since 1836, will be restored in view of the bicentenary of the deciphering of hieroglyphics by Jean-François Champollion. The works, which will last six months, begin next January, but the monument is already surrounded by an imposing scaffolding, which for some changes the face of the famous square.