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Hello TRF’s,
The wife (aka Katie) and I are going to Paris for a kids-free weekend. As part of the trip I’ve persuaded her to partake in a day at Longchamp for Arc Trials Day.
I wanted to ask the TRF regulars if they have been to Longchamp (I’m sure a few have) for any advice on how to help the day go along. (I mean practical advice like getting there and around rather then tips).
I understand that from a perspective of getting there, get the no. 10 Metro line to Porte d’Auteuil and then there is a shuttle bus to the track (follow the turfiste’s apparently).
Is it easy to get on the PMU? How does the Tierce work etc…?
Also, any other tips on things to do in Paris are much appreciated.
Cheers
SeanIf you like art, go to the Musee D’Orsay where all of the famous Impressionist paintings are [Starry, Starry Night, for example]; if you have limited time you can get round it in an afternoon whereas the Louvre would take days, and it’s in an incredibly beautiful bulding which had been a station. We’ve only been at Arc weekend but, yes, there were shuttle buses from various places
and it was very cheap to get in. My one disappointment [as I’ve mentioned before
] was the fact that the sprint races are ran away from the stands and I stood there like a lemon waiting for the horses to run past me. It’s a very compact little course. You’ll have a fantastic time.When we go to the Arc weekend we stop in Suresnes which is on the SNCF. We stay in a hotel that is a 10-15 minute walk to the course. The hotel is no more than a 10 minute walk from the station. Betting is no problem once you get the hang of it and more often than not the people taking the bets understand a struggling Brit when they see one. Be careful if you are doing the equivalent of Exacta’s as I thought I had got the forecast for the stayers race last year before I realised I’d done the equivalent of the swinger.
I would imagine your day will be more like the Saturday of Arc weekend so you should be able to sit where you want in the grandstand. Drink isn’t cheap about €5 for a 330ml can of lager or a 175ml bottle of wine.
As Moe says you’ll have a great time
Yep, you’ll have plenty of room to move around as it shouldn’t be busy at all & certainly nothing remotely like Arc day. It’s not a direct comparison but on one of my visits I went with the wife to the G1 Prix Ganay at the end of April – the day of Frankel’s 2,000G – and one point during mid-racing we were literally the only two in the grandstand.
As for tips;
Racing : Unless things have changed recently the current PMU returns on the monitors will be based on a 2€ stake and watch out for coupled runners, which should have an E followed by a number on the French racecard but more clearly highlighted in the RP.
Non racing : If you’re of able body and fit, then weather permitting – walk. The Metro is great but there is so much to see in Paris and IMHO there’s no better way to see it. I’ve tended to visit certain areas at a time so have jumped on the metro to get me in the viccinity and then walked from there-on in. But don’t walk to the course – it’s a long way – and certainly don’t wander back from there after dark because you get some right weird sights around the Bois de Boulogne at night.
and make sure that you go to Montmarte and while there visit Sacre Couer. The best time is a Sunday morning IMO, plus it would be a great way to start the raceday.
Enjoy Sean. I’m flying out to Vegas for a fortnight that day so won’t be there myself this year
Lee
What dates Moe ?. We’re there from 14th till the 27th. Staying at The Wynn but will spend some time further south on the strip for a few tourneys.
Lee
and make sure that you go to Montmarte and while there visit Sacre Couer. The best time is a Sunday morning IMO, plus it would be a great way to start the raceday.
I was actually going to suggest avoiding Montmartre like the plague.
There will be groups of very pushy and aggressive scam artists trying to sell you "friendship bracelets" – The scam is that they very quickly attach some ribbon to your wrist then relentlessly insist that you pay for said ribbon. They will even try to grab your wrist as you walk past despite your walking quickly and ignoring them. Once you get past them, then the area is choc full of tourists. Crowds and crowds of tourists. Furthermore, you will not be able to move more than five metres without somebody trying to draw you a portrait. The Basilica is pretty but then again, you’d probably get the same level of awe by looking at a picture. The scenery of Paris was very underwhelming because of the smog – Primrose Hill in London is much more spectacular. If you do go up there, bring your own snack and water supplies because the prices in the shops are extortionate even by Parisian standards.
This was just my experience of Montmartre though and others do seem to rave about the place.
I wasn’t taken with Montmarte either [although it was better than Versailles which I’ve now been to twice; it did cross my mind second time round that I must have been seriously underwhelmed by it the first time as I couldn’t remember anything about it]. Then again, one of the places I want to visit is the pet cemetary where Troytown is buried, so I do have strange tastes when it comes to holiday destinations.I’m in Vegas @ 16th/17th at the Tropicana Hotel; one of the coach trips where you do a whistle stop tour of everywhere. Annoyed that I can’t take in any racing, though
] was the fact that the sprint races are ran away from the stands and I stood there like a lemon waiting for the horses to run past me. It’s a very compact little course. You’ll have a fantastic time.
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