Spectator Sports - Private Custom Tours & Free Paris Resource Guide

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June 2-3
This weekend is the Portes Ouvertes at Les Frigos! Check out the artist studios in one of the most famous former squats in Paris. In the 13th (near the Bibliothèque Mitterrand, just off Rue de Tolbiac), ree entry, Saturday (2-10pm) and Sunday (2-8pm).

June 8-10
Nearly 6,000 feathered and sequinned costumes, designed and made in the workshops of the Folies Bergère, one of the world’s most prestigious music-halls, are going on auction at the Palais de la Bourse (Place de la Bourse, 2nd) over three sessions (two catalogued sales on Saturday 9th at 6pm and Sunday 10th at 4pm, one non-catalogued sale of costumes, accessories, notions and supplies). To this magnificent set of lots will be added a hundred posters and programmes recounting a century of revues, original musical scores composed for Folies Bergère revues and drawings by famous fashion illustrator Erté. Public exhibition of the collection from 2-6pm on Friday, 10am-5pm on Saturday, 10am-3pm on Sunday.

June 17
It's time yet again to don your most fashionable hat and a picnic basket and head up to Chantilly for the annual Prix de Diane at the Chantilly Hippodrome. It's Ladies' Day at the races, and the fashions might overshadown the horses, but overall it's a fabulous day out for free (well, if you can get out there by train or car or helicopter). Check out one of my posts from the 2010 event with photos.

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Entertainment & Arts > Spectator Sports

Sports & Races

Paris hosts many prestigious sporting events throughout the year, and tickets should be purchased as far in advance as possible. Free events include the Marathon de Paris (April) and the Arrival of the Tour de France on the Champs-Elysées (end of July).

Annual Sporting Events

January: Grand Prix d’Amérique: Trotting world championship, Hippodrome de Vincennes.

February-March: Six Nations Rugby Tournament, Stade de France.

March: Jumping International de Paris (show-jumping competition), Palais Omnisports Paris-Bercy.

May: Steeple-Chase de Paris, Hippodrome d’Auteuil.

May-June: Rolland Garros French Tennis Open, Stade Roland Garros.

June: French Golf Open (PGA European Tour), Le Golf Nationale (in Guyancourt).

July: Tour de France (Finishes on the Champs-Elysées)

October: Grand Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barrière (World racing championship of thoroughbreds), Hippodrome de Longchamp.

October-November: Tennis Masters Series, Palais Omnisports Paris-Bercy.

October-November: Trophée Eric Bompard (Figure-skating championship), Palais Omnisports Paris-Bercy.

See the Activities section for information on participating in Paris sporting events.

Sporting Venues

Horse Racing Tracks
The regular racing season (September-June) at the two Bois de Boulogne hippodromes, Longchamp and Auteuil , are open to spectators even if you’re not placing bets. Entry onto the lawn (pelouse) is free. Tickets for the stands are €3-€4 (€8 during the Steeple-Chase de Paris), free for children under 18. Both hippodromes offer a welcome service, restaurants, free babysitting on Wednesdays and weekends, and pony rides for kids 3-10 every Sunday. Tel 08 21 21 32 13.

Hippodrome de Vincennes
2 Route de la Ferme, Bois de Vincennes, 12^th
Tel 01 49 77 14 70
Horse trotting races (harness racing).

Hippodrome d’Auteuil
Bois de Boulogne , 16^th
M° Porte d’Auteuil
Tel 08 21 21 32 13.
Horse jump racing and steeple-chase competitions.

Hippodrome de Longchamp
Bois de Boulogne , 16^th
M° Porte d’Auteuil
Tel 08 21 21 32 13.
National and international thoroughbred horse-racing (flat racing).

Other Stadiums

Stade de France
La Plaine St-Denis (93)
Tel 01 55 93 00 00.
Hosts many sporting events including national and international soccer (called football, in Europe ) and rugby matches. Behind-the-scenes tours of the stadium in English are available daily during high season (except during tournaments) at 10:30am and 2:30pm (€10, €8 for students, free for kids under 6).

Palais Omnisports Paris-Bercy (POPB)
Rue de Bercy, 12^th
M° Bercy
Tel 08 92 69 23 00.
Sporting events include basketball, tennis, martial arts, equestrian competitions and ice-skating.

Stade Rolland Garros
Bois de Boulogne, 16^th
M° Porte d’Auteuil
Tel 01 47 43 48 00.
As theprestigious host of international and national tennis tournaments, Rolland Garros was once open only for those with tickets to the matches.But ever since the Tenniseum (Tennis Museum) opened in 2003, visitors can now tour the “off-limits” areas of the stadium (tours Tuesday-Sunday in French and English). There is also a boutique for picking up your own Rolland Garros logo tennis balls or clothing, and a gourmet restaurant with valet parking and garden terrace seating in the summer. Entry at Avenue Gordon Bennet (Porte Mousquetaires). Tel 01 47 43 48 48. Combined tour and museum tickets €15, €10 for kids under 18.

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