How to get to Longchamp and how to have a bet on course or from home

Getting there and away

By the standards of almost any capital city racecourse, Longchamp is pretty central.

That said, your journey will take a bit of planning, since there is no metro station particularly close at hand.

Those taking public transport should head to one of two stations, depending from which direction they are coming.

Those to the north of the track should go for Porte de Maillot station, which connects to metro line 1 and the RER (overland) lines A and C.

Those arriving from the south of the city need Porte d'Auteuil station, which is on metro line 10. RATP run free shuttle buses (navettes) to and from both these stations to the main entrance.

On arrival

If you have a seated or hospitality ticket, or your name appears on your ticket, make sure you have photo ID to prove it is yours.

Map of the Longchamp enclosures on Arc day: 1 Pelouse de l'Arrivee; 3 Jardin de l'Arc; 4 Village de l'Arc

Also be prepared for security checks, consisting of a pat down and a bag search.

Once through the wrought iron gates (the Grille d'Honneur), you will walk up a broad set of stairs to the statue of Gladiateur. A walkway sweeps left and right from the top of the steps, and with signposts directing racegoers to whichever enclosure they have a ticket.

If you have Pelouse de l'Arrivee – the most expensive of the three general entry tickets – you will stay on this walkway level, with access to the back and front of the grandstand, the steppings around the paddock and the lawn in front of the stand.

Those with tickets for the Jardin de l'Arc will be funnelled left and down to the ground level area to the left of the grandstand.

Having a bet

The two easiest ways of betting on course with the PMU are either at a kiosk or with a roaming operator wearing a green gilet (vest).

All operators should speak a decent level of English. However, if you are in any doubt, look for a union jack badge.

Betting: there is no longer coupling on same ownership horses on the Pari-MutuelCredit: Edward Whitaker

You will have to specify the race number, the horse number, the type of bet and the stake.

Each-way bets are, in fact, win and place bets struck in two different pools, so you will need to ask for, for example, €10 win and place. Just as at home that bet will total a €20 stake.

Coupling is no more

One of the most obvious differences between French Pari-Mutuel betting and that in Britain and Ireland was the fact that one combined price was offered for all the same horses in the same ownership.

After more than 80 years, the practice of coupling was abolished on July 1 this year. As an example, you back Japan in the Arc, you won't automatically be getting Magical as well.

Betting from home

Those punters unable to make it to Longchamp have the option of taking morning prices offered by their bookmaker or leaving the bet to ride at SP or Pari-Mutuel (PMU).

It is important to check your bookmaker offers the PMU price. Some bookmakers will accept PMU prices but others will not. Punters will need to specify if the PMU price is the price they wish to take.

Punters should be aware there is no longer an Industry SP. Both SIS and PA supply their own starting prices, while some bookmakers will produce their own.

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