What you need to know about getting to Longchamp for the Arc on Sunday

Arc weekend is almost upon us and for racegoers who have already booked their tickets and travel it is now a matter of completing a few extra administrative details tied to Covid-19.

For those who have yet to decide, it's not too late, as there is no limit on attendance for either day at Longchamp.

As Europe begins to move past the worst ravages of Covid-19, restrictions around both travel and major events have been eased. Here are the key boxes you need to tick before you can walk up the stairway to the statue of Gladiateur:

• Travel requirements between Britain, Ireland and France
• Covid testing regime pre- and post-travel
• Buying tickets for Longchamp
• Gaining access to the racecourse

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Travel to France from the UK and Ireland

The UK is on France's orange list of countries and thus non-essential travel is restricted to those that have been fully vaccinated (i.e they are a fortnight past their second or final dose).

Unvaccinated travellers must quarantine for seven days unless they can prove urgent need to be in France, and a day at the races does not count.

The gates are fully open again after attendance last year was capped at 1,000Credit: Getty Images

Ireland and the rest of the European Union is on France's green list, so travellers must have either a full vaccination schedule, a negative PCR test dating from less than 72 hours before departure, or proof of antibodies from having the disease within the last six months.

UK: pre- and post-travel tests and checks

Fully vaccinated racegoers from the UK do not need to self-isolate on arrival in Paris but have to complete a sworn statement (declaration sur l'honneur) certifying they are not suffering from any Covid-19 symptoms and have not been in contact with any positive cases in the last fortnight. They will also have to provide proof of their vaccination status, namely their NHS Covid Pass, which is available online or through the NHS app.

From the early hours of October 4, the UK is replacing its own traffic light system with a single red list of countries, meaning fully vaccinated travellers will require fewer tests when returning from most countries.

Longchamp: tickets for the action on Saturday are as low as €10Credit: Edward Whitaker

Racegoers returning after this deadline must take a PCR (day two) test on or before their second day back in the UK, which must be booked before travel as it is a requirement of the passenger locator form, completed within 48 hours of returning from France.

Those returning from Paris on Sunday must provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test (lateral flow or PCR) taken up to three days before their departure. These tests can be bought in advance or from recognised providers in Paris.

. . . and from Ireland

Fully vaccinated visitors – and Ireland has become the first country in Europe to hit the 90 per cent mark – as well as those with proof of antibodies do not need to isolate on arrival.

Antigen tests no longer count for entry into the country, so those that are not vaccinated or carrying the antibodies must undergo a PCR test.

Buying a ticket

Organisers are offering sizeable discounts for those who buy their tickets in advance and, while walk-ups will be catered for, going online is strongly advised.

The Arc Gardens enclosure features the largest pop-up bar in ParisCredit: Edward Whitaker

The two main enclosures at Longchamp are separate and those buying a ticket for the Arc Gardens – home to the biggest pop-up bar in Paris – will not be able to cross into the grandstand and paddock area without buying an upgrade.

Arc GardensGrandstand/Paddock Steps

Saturday, Oct 2 €10 €30

Sunday, Oct 3 €20 €65

Two-day pass €25 €80

Winning Post Gold 2 day (allocated seating) €249

All details can be found at billeterie.france-galop.com/uk/QPAT

Health Pass and gaining entry to Longchamp

The health pass – which has been in operation in bars, restaurants, cultural and sporting venues in France since July – can be presented either digitally or by means of a paper certificate and requires a QR code to be scanned on entry proving either a full vaccination schedule has been completed, a negative test result for Covid within the last 72 hours or else a positive test dating from more than 15 days but less than six months.

For those with either the British NHS app or the Irish Digital Covid Certificate, the process will be completed in seconds, while those who have not been vaccinated can take a rapid antigen test in a special station by the front gates.

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