Longchamp visitor guide | Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Grand Prix de Paris guide
Le Hippodrome de Longchamp, or Longchamp Racecourse, is a horse racing complex situated in the Bois de Boulogne, in the global city of Paris, France. The course is built on the banks of the River Seine, and is first and foremost a flat racing course.
Racing began at Longchamp in April 1857, with Napoleon III in attendance. Racing has continued at the site ever since, and there is now a huge amount of tracks at Longchamp, with there being 46 different starting posts spread over 17 hectares. In fact, Longchamp is not just one racecourse; it is 4 different courses that are linked together.
The highlight of Longchamp's season is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, held on the first weekend of October, and this is the most prestigious horse race held in France. The Prix also attracts the best racehorses from around the world to the event.
Finally, there have been other uses for Longchamp over the years. Super-band U2 has a DVD on release of their triumphant concert held at Longchamp, and this is just one group that have played here over the years.
Visitors to Paris are always heartily encouraged to use the efficient public transport services, as driving around Paris is, at times, nothing short of a nightmare of gridlock! However, if you do wish to drive to Longchamp, you should definitely make use of satellite navigation and/or a reliable route planner, and to assist with this the postcode of Longchamp is 75116.
On big race days and Sundays, there are free buses to the course. These buses leave from the metro stop Porte d'Auteuil in south west Paris, which is situated next to Auteuil racecourse. Then, during the afternoon, buses return from the the car park at Longchamp to Auteuil.
Another way to get to the course is to take the metro to La Defense - Grande Arche and then the tramway to Suresnes-Longchamp. From there, you walk downhill into the Bois de Boulogne and the course is extremely close by, less than a five minute walk.
