Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Horse races are also popular. The Hippodrome d'Auteuil
and Hippodrome de Longchamp are in the Bois de Boulogne,
and each has its particular racing season and events. The
Hippodrome de Vincennes in the Bois de Vincennes is known
for its trotting meets. Bets may be made at the track or off-
track through the Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) at many
tabacs
.
For information, see
Paris Turf
, a racing magazine (http://
www.paris-turf.com).
The Two Largest Parks
The Bois de Boulogne is at the western edge of Paris, 846
hectares that run the length of the 16
e
down to the suburb of
Boulogne-Billancourt. Parisians go there to
pique-niquer
(picnic)
or
se promener
(stroll). Located in the Bois are the racecourses
mentioned above and Roland-Garros, the tennis stadium that is
home to the French Open 'Grand Slam' tournament held each
spring. Here too are running tracks, a workout course, artificial
lakes, rowboat and bicycle rentals, as well as swimming pools.
The Parc de Bagatelle has an old castle and lovely rose gardens.
The Jardin d'Acclimatation has a children's playground and
amusement park, zoo, donkey rides and puppet shows.
The Bois de Vincennes stretches east from the 12
e
. Larger
than the Bois de Boulogne, it is more wooded, less built up
and often more tranquil. Jogging paths, rowboat rentals on two
lakes, baseball and football fields, and a large tennis facility are
some of the park's attractions. In addition, at Le Parc Floral
there are playgrounds, ping-pong tables, a theatre for children
and a working farm. The city's largest zoo is here. The office of
your
mairie
should have the booklet
Jardins et Environnement
with details about the city parks and their facilities.
Resources
Access the city's website for the online
Guide du Sport
, which
lists many of the municipal sport centers and federations
of the sports disciplines. The
mairie
in each
arrondissement
should also have detailed information about the facilities
available in that district. And the Fédération Sportive Gaie et
Liesbienne Ile-de-France is an umbrella association fostering
amateur sports for gays and lesbians (http://www.fsgl.org).
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