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Dont forget that on the Wednesday they have racing i think at Auteuil for some proper action and Thursday at Saint Cloud with trotting at Viccenes on the Friday night.
You could have a big racing bonanza and a damn sight cheaper than UK racing prices.
Here’s the official Longchamp site, it’s got everything you need to know…
Found this link from a thread for last year’s Arc.
http://www.premierevents.co.uk/sport.php?parent_id=74
Don’t know if it is of any use.
Colin
Free shuttle buses run from Porte Maillot (bus stops across from Metro station) each Sunday and Arc weekend. It is next to near impossible to get on one back from the racecourse after the Arc but if its a nice day, as it often is, it’s a lovely walk back through the Bois De Boulogne – takes about 45 mins though.
I went when Hurricane Run won, 5 euros at the gate to get in. No dress code, wear what you want.
Afterwards, down the road, there are big marquees where you can buy cheap food and drink. When I went, a lot of the racing TV celebs were in there eating too.
A great time, enjoy.
I went when Hurricane Run won, 5 euros at the gate to get in. No dress code, wear what you want.
Afterwards, down the road, there are big marquees where you can buy cheap food and drink. When I went, a lot of the racing TV celebs were in there eating too.
A great time, enjoy.
That was the year I went, I can still remember Fallon saluting the crowd in the pooring rain. Good memories
What we did was leave before the last race and tried to beat the crowds, I think a lot of the locals do this as the last race is the worst on the card.
When we were there, there was a little section for the Brits where they were selling the rp and had a tote booth with Pari Mutuel prices so the language barrier shouldn’t a problem either.
I’ve never been to the Arc, but I went to the French Oaks at Chantilly last year, and although the massive crowd meant I had a job to see some of the races, the whole atmosphere was fantastic. The PMU computer crashed, meaning no-one could get paid out, but they sent me a cheque a few weeks later. If time allows this summer, I will return to one of the Paris tracks – it didn’t cost me anything to get in (part of the GaloppClub package), but it’s 8 EUR to get in normally (as I think it is on all Paris tracks), and the food at the restaurant – well, Gordon Ramsay would be hard pushed to do better!! Great atmos, friendly PMU staff (one of them even apologized for not speaking much English!!), and the guy that sells Paris Turf on the gate is a legend – speaks more languages than the Pope and even helped translate bits of the paper for me!!! Oh yes, Paris Turf – their section on the French Oaks was brilliant, the sort of thing we only do for the National over here.
I booked a cheap flight from Charles de Gaulle, but nearly missed it after a nightmare trying to leave the course – I found out later from the manager of the nearby train station that they double book the taxis so that the fare isn’t wasted!!
Darren – AngloGerman
In many ways Longchamps is the best course I’ve ever attended. I had a great Arc last year as I supported DT, so perhaps I’m biased.
It all depends on where you’re staying and, whether you’re adaptable enough to " go native".
Only tourists take cabs in Paris. Their trains and metro are great, and if you get a "carnet" ( book of tickets") you can go for miles for a euro.You need to get on the "yellow" line ( colour-coded) and get to Porte Maillot. On the Sunday, you’ll meet plenty of English before you even get to your stop.
Then the free shuttle bus is easy. I was chatting to some Yorkshire men and the time passed quickly.
My ticket had been obtained online, but the max you need to pay at the turnstyle is 7 euro.
DO NOT buy anything outside the course: that "English form" thing is a sheet of shite!!When you get in, find the English Tote place. It seems to have its own little outdoor cafe and you’ll be able to get the RP and deal with some of the same Tote staff you see in Britain. Easy.
I wouldn’t agree about the need for a choker. Most of the locals were dressed in smart casual. This year it was fierce hot on the Saturday and on the Sunday. Some English even had their T shirts off. Most were as pissed as arseholes.
The Saturday is easy, and you can have a good mosey around. I expect the viewing is better upstairs ( reserved), but it’s not bad anywhere. The Big Screen is the thing.
The Sunday is a squeeze, but, apart from drunken English, it’s not bad really. My French isn’t the best but I found the best deal for grub was that cheese on toast thing ( 5 euro). I think they call it "croc m’sieur".
My daughter had prepared a nosebag for me and I was glad of the snacks and drinks it contained. I do this on every course, btw, even though it’s illegal.
I’m a bit of a "nil by mouth" type on course, so this may not suit everybody’s style.All around me, people seemed to be having no problem getting grog or champers. By big race time, most seemed to have gotten ratarsed and disappeared. Their places were taken by locals. I stood my ground – just off the line- and had a good view right the way round from the windmill to the finish ( except for the couple of blindspots behind trees or buidings).
My daughter and her boyfriend had originally decided to watch the rugby in some pub instead, but after seeing one game, they came on the free bus and not only got in, but found a position right on the line!
You try doing that at Cheltenham or Epsom!When DT won and Authorised came last, there were only about three of us cheering in my area. There seemed to be a deathly hush on the place. This made it easy for my daughter to spot me in the crowd, so you can tell that it’s not so bad as crowds go.
After a further session of cheering and making a prat of myself in the paddock, off we went to Mont Parnasse for a nice meal ( takes ages in France) and a squint at the rugby with a Guinness or two in the bar.
I am now deafer than ever ( the French boo loudly at everything), but I’d recommend a trip to the Arc wholeheartedly.
I went the other year with one of the owners of the headquarters stud
http://www.theheadquartersstudfrance.com/We had a blast, the japanese went nuts when deep impact hit the front, the stands were swaying!
Stand asside english racing, the french have stolen a massave adavantage over the english in terms of the quality of their tracks, facilites, entry costs and prize money.
Brilliant, excellent thread this. The france gallop website is in French though, even though i clicked on english version. So the general concenus is pay on the door as its cheap and wont sell out, there is no dress code (within reason i assume!) and get the metro and free shuttle and you cant really go wrong?
I think if buying the tickets will cost alot more if i buy in advance. The only thing is you have certainty that your going etc. Im hopeing it should be a cracking race looking at the 3 year olds. Looking forward to seeing what older horses train on this season aswell.
That’s about right, Andy, but things can change, of course!
I remember pushing past about fifty ticket touts one year only to find that they were quite right: "sold out" was what they told me at the gate! I felt pretty sheepish when I had to go back and try get a ticket from the street guys.
Another time at Ludlow, I’d told all these racegoers about the great breakfast we could get cheaply in tesco’s cafe across the road from the train station. Felt a right pillock when I found the place had changed and " we don’t do breakfasts" was the call.
At Longchamps, I’m sure the Saturday would be a doddle, but I’d seriously persevere with the internet for making sure of your ticket for the big day.
Also, it may help to know that "students" pay very little to get in. There were at least a couple of very hairy-arsed ones there last year!Also, watch out for things suddenly getting fully booked up and doubled in price over the weekend. It happens.
So where would be the best place to get tickets in advance from nearer the time? Ive seen internet ticket sites selling them now for £33 but thats way above RRP. Would the Longchamp website sell them at the same price as you would pay on the door? And by the way, i still have my trusty NUS from my student days valid so that could come in handy!
I think it’s that "Galop France" thing, Andy.
The reason I’m not sure is that I got the daughter’s boyfriend to do it; he’s French.
A good link.
Btw, looking back at the thread, I see that i didn’t make it clear that the thing with the touts happened to me at Chester.
I don’t think there are touts or bookies in France.
Anyway, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the day!
Quality, cheers for all the help guys. Will keep an eye on the france gallop website for advance tickets in a few months.
Soldier of Fortune for the Arc!!
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