Join the Action: Your Ultimate Guide to Longchamp's Arc Day Sunday is one of the most important days of racing in the European calendar as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe takes place at Longchamp on the outskirts of Paris. The Arc is Europe's premier middle-distance contest and a generational clash as some of the best three-year-olds meet their elders, with male and female going head-to-head for the coveted prize. Arc Day at Longchamp is about much more than one race, of course, with a quality day of racing in store. Here's our guide to the big day in the French capital. Top billing for Longchamp The Arc is the pinnacle in the French racing calendar, with Longchamp describing the event as 'a chance to witness a race of the very highest quality and the crowning of a legend in a World Cup-like atmosphere'. Suspense and adrenalin are the order of the day at an event that brings together the best thoroughbreds in Flat racing and the world's leading jockeys. Full Arc Day schedule There are nine thoroughbred races on the card on Arc Day at Longchamp, alongside the Arabian World Cup. The nine-race thoroughbred schedule is below. Times are BST. Time Race Class/Grade Distance 12:55Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium des PoulichesGroup 11 mile (about 1600m) 13:30Qatar Prix Jean‑Luc LagardereGroup 11 mile (about 1600m) 14:05Prix de l’Abbaye de LongchampGroup 15 furlongs (1000m) 15:05Qatar Prix de l'Arc de TriompheGroup 11m 4f (2400m) 16:05Prix de l’OperaGroup 11m 2f (2000m) 16:40Prix de la ForetGroup 17 furlongs (1400m) 17:15Grand Handicap des FlyersHandicap/Class 16 furlongs (1200m) 18:00Prix de le la Palace de l'Etoile HandicapHandicap/Class 11m 2f (2000m) Ticketing options for Longchamp Plenty of visitors from Ireland and Britain will descend on Longchamp for the Arc Meeting and going racing in France is very reasonably priced. There are options ranging from the Arc's Village and Garden's to the Winning Post Enclosure and Gold Stand and the Bistro Triomphe Hesperide. There really is something for everyone, with ticketing starting from as little as €10 in the Arc's Gardens, to €30 in the Winning Post Enclosure and as much as €299 in the Gold Stand. How the day unfolds For those visiting Longchamp on Arc Day, here is what to expect. (All times are local). 11.00: Racecourse gates and restaurants open. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Arc! 12.30: Head to the Galop Gourmet Foodcourt for an outdoor lunch before the races. 12.50: Parade of Vazirabad, ADDP of ParisLongchamp, at the presentation circle. 13:15: Performance by the Republican Guard on horseback on the track. See them again for a second performance at 2:35pm. 13.40: Start of the first race of the day. Before the races, at 1.15pm: don’t miss the parade and entertainment on the track and in the presentation ring. 14.05: The high point of the weekend! Start of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The excitement reaches fever pitch in the racecourse’s grandstand! 18.05: To round off the Arc weekend in style, head to the Arc Gardens for some post-race drinks and a live DJ set! 21.30: Racecourse gates close. Arc Facts Some interesting points to note about Longchamp's big day. - Arc named Best Race in the World five times in the last 10 years. - Winners by country in 103 editions of the Arc: o France: 67 o Britain: 19 o Ireland: 9 o Italy: 6 o Germany: 2 - There have only been eight two-time winners in 100 editions. - 35,000 spectators expected with 50 nationalities represented - 55,000 square metres of lawn for the public to stroll on - 160 metres long: the grandstand at ParisLongchamp - 2,600 people working at the ParisLongchamp racecourse on Arc weekend
