thoughts on going to the Prix Arc d' Triomphe/Deauville

[Force of One]

Have a possible autumn trip to France in the works - was wondering if anyone had been to the Arc d'Triomphe and if they thought it was a "must see" type of race/event (like the KY Dby for instance). Debating either timing the trip to cover that date or catching races in Deauville (have heard it's really beautiful and worth a visit). I have some flexibility in scheduling so could do one or the other, but not likely both due to few racing dates at Deauville.

Any feedback or shared experience would be great. Thanks!

[cj]

The Arc is a great experience. You can stay right in the city and take the Metro anywhere you need to go. They run a free shuttle from the nearest stop, next to Hippodrome Auteuil, to Longchamps.

I was thinking of going back this year, but I'm going to do the French Open next spring again instead. Still, I'd highly recommend the Arc.

[thorobasePA]

I've been once. My memories:

1. It was cold. Very cold.

2. A large percentage of the crowd were English.

3. I enjoyed watching the races quite a lot. The l'Abbaye (the sprint) takes place on the the far side of the track though.

4. Most people were dressed very well.

5. I took a shuttle from the centre of Paris. Took about an hour if I remember correctly.

[Force of One]

Great feedback so far guys, thanks!

Can anybody weigh in on experiences with the races at Deauville? I was under the impression it was kind of like beautiful scenic mecca type track, sort of like a Del Mar or Saratoga (scenery wise)

[Watcher]

I was there this last year. Great experience. You can take the metro out towards the track, they then have shuttles running to the entrance. Don't take a taxi to / from the venue unless you're interested in terribly long lines.

You can purchase tickets before hand or at the venue the day of the event. All brochures and PP's come in multiple languages. Moet stations were set about, and we were in slacks / sweaters for the nearly perfect weather. There's covered sitting if the weather turns south.

The track, especially the paddock area, are gorgeous. You'll have a great time.

[Zman179]

Just make sure that if you do go to Deauville, don't do it for just a day...gotta make it an overnight; Deauville is the French Saratoga.
Don't forget, Deauville has two tracks: Deauville-La Touques (aka Deauville) and Deauville-Clairefontaine (aka Clairefontaine). Both tracks are beautiful and worth the visit.

[Scanman]

Either would be great because you could probably add a few other tracks during your visit.

Concerning Deauville, August is primetime. That's when I went. This is the time of the year when the best racing leaves Paris. The racing is first class, the weather was great, and the grounds were immaculate. Link: http://www.france-galop.com/Accueil.2290+M52087573ab0.0.html .

Clairefontaine is a just down the road and offers the best French jump racing. The cards vary between all flat, mixed (flat/jump) and all jump.

Other interests might be the Casino Barriere de Deauville, but even better the D-Day invasion beaches about an hour's drive to the west.

*********************************

Concerning the Arc and Longchamp, if you don't mind the crowd, okay. It's one of the greatest races in the world. Wish I would have gone once. I went to Longchamp during a mid-week date and the place was pretty empty. Still, an enjoyable experience and hard not to recommend France's iconic racecourse. The Arc is in October, so the weather could go either way. It's also off-season, so arrangements might be easier and less expensive.

Other Paris tracks that run around that time are: Saint-Cloud (flat), Maisons-Laffitte (flat), Enghien (jumps) and Auteuil (jumps). Others close by: Compeigne (flat) and Fontainebleau (jumps).

[Southieboy]

If you're going to Longchamp, just make sure you aren't going in 2013.

[Force of One]

I was there this last year. Great experience. You can take the metro out towards the track, they then have shuttles running to the entrance. Don't take a taxi to / from the venue unless you're interested in terribly long lines.

You can purchase tickets before hand or at the venue the day of the event. All brochures and PP's come in multiple languages. Moet stations were set about, and we were in slacks / sweaters for the nearly perfect weather. There's covered sitting if the weather turns south.

The track, especially the paddock area, are gorgeous. You'll have a great time.


Just wanted to confirm you meant the Arc, correct?

[Force of One]

Why? What's 2013??

Most likely next year, but this winter is a possibility as well

[Watcher]

Just wanted to confirm you meant the Arc, correct?

Correct.

This advertisement was all over the city...

http://www.lacavalieremasquee.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-10-03-prix-arc-de-triomphe.png

[Dick Powell]

The Arc is one of the world's great horse races and worth going to. I've been to three of them. Last year, my wife and I did not go to the Arc but went three weeks ahead of time when the weather was much better. By the time the Arc is run, summer is over and many flowers have been cut down. Three weeks earlier was perfect and we lucked out with perfect weather and missing the nation-wide strikes by a few days. Went to Longchamp for the Prix Vermeille card that Sunday. Took an all-day excursion of Chantilly and its chateau and the Grand Stables that was fantastic. Would love to go back some day when they have the French Oaks there. One thing about Longhcamp - it's not the easiest place to bet. Get on line early and try to find a clerk that speaks English. We flew over on Open Skies, a divisionn of British Airways that has round trip business class for $1500. Plus, it lands in Orly which is closer to the center of Paris than Charles de Gaulle aiport.

[gm10]

The Arc is great but I think the two tracks at Deauville are extremely pleasant and located in a very charming part of France. I recommend going there in August when the Prix Jacques Le Marois is on. It's one of the best mile races in the world, so you will have a decent chance of seeing Goldi.

You can do day trips to Honfleur, Bayeux, Omaha Beach, etc.

[Force of One]

The preliminary plans are looking like going during the Arc. Any thought on Deauville still being a worthwhile visit, even without any racing? I could see us ending up that way either way to see the D-Day beaches. I was under the impression that it was a fun scenic place (ex. casino, nightlife, etc). It doesn't seem like we would be lucky enough to catch live racing at both the way the dates fall. Any thoughts/suggestions?

[tholl]

Have been to Deauville and really recommend it. One poster mentioned not to just go for a day, spend more time there which I would agree with. I went with my fiancee and another couple and we rented a house for a week. Was within walking distance to the track and we had a blast. The yearling sales were also going on and there are plenty of nearby towns and villages to visit. The only downer was that when we were there it was unusually cold and rainy even though it was August.