Fancy a day at the races? The Hippodrome de Longchamp stands before us. This isn’t just any racetrack. It’s a historic site with stories etched into its very grounds.
The Hippodrome de Longchamp opened in 1857. Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie attended the first race. They sailed down the Seine on their private yacht. The winning horse was Éclaireur.
Imagine Parisians arriving by steamboat. Until 1930 many traveled here by river. The trip from Paris took about an hour.
Located in the Bois de Boulogne the Hippodrome de Longchamp occupies 57 hectares. It sits on the former grounds of the Royal Abbey of Longchamp. The abbey was destroyed during the French Revolution.
Notice the variety of interlaced tracks. The course challenges even the best thoroughbreds. There are 46 different starting posts. Track lengths vary from 1000 to 4000 meters.
Longchamp hosts more than half of France’s Group One races. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the highlight. It occurs the first weekend in October. The event draws top horses from around the world.
Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas captured Longchamp’s vibrancy. They painted horse racing scenes here. Their art immortalizes the track’s energy.
Even during World War II racing continued. Longchamp has faced tough times but always persevered. In 1914 Longchamp served as a livestock park.
France Galop manages the Hippodrome de Longchamp. It is a renowned horse racing association.
The Grand Prix de Paris began in 1863. The Prix d’Ispahan followed in 1873. Then came the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1920. Before World War I the Grand Prix de Paris offered the world’s highest purse.
Consider the architecture here. Antoine-Nicolas Bailly designed the original Hippodrome de Longchamp. New grandstands were built between 1962 and 1964.
Look for the old windmill. It is a remnant of the Royal Abbey of Longchamp. It stands as a silent witness to the passage of time.
The Hippodrome de Longchamp closed for renovations in 2015. It reopened in 2018 with a new look. Dominique Perrault designed the new Hippodrome de Longchamp. He also designed the National Library of France.
The main track is 2750 meters long. The average track is 2500 meters. The small track measures 2150 meters. The new track is 1400 meters. The straightaway is 1000 meters.
From the top of the grandstand you can spot the Eiffel Tower. You can also see the towers of La Défense.
Beyond horse racing the Hippodrome de Longchamp hosts other events. The Rolling Stones have performed here. The Solidays music festival occurs here every year. Lollapalooza Paris also takes place here.
Now you have a glimpse into Longchamp’s rich history. The Hippodrome de Longchamp is more than just a racetrack. It is a vibrant part of Parisian culture.