Where to Stay for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?
The palace hotels of the Right Bank, western Paris at the edge of the Bois, or a private apartment: three ways to inhabit an October weekend in Paris.
Last updated 6 October 2026 · 3 min read
ParisLongchamp racecourse is within Paris, in the Bois de Boulogne, in the 16th arrondissement: staying in the city is enough. Three approaches stand out. First, the Right Bank palace hotels — Le Bristol, on the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the Plaza Athénée, on avenue Montaigne, the Four Seasons George V, on avenue George V, or the Ritz Paris, on place Vendôme, cited for illustration —, some twenty minutes from the Bois by car depending on traffic. Then western Paris, closer to the racecourse. Finally, a private apartment, for hosting. In early October, Paris is in high demand: book early. Each option is prepared on quotation.
The overall answer: distance is measured in traffic
Longchamp lies to the west of Paris, between the Bois de Boulogne and the Seine. From the 8th arrondissement, the journey takes some twenty minutes by car outside busy periods; on Arc Sunday, the approaches to the racecourse fill up before the first races and after the last.
The right criterion is therefore not only distance, but rhythm: arriving before the races that interest you, returning to change before dinner, hosting. Three kinds of address answer three ways of experiencing the weekend.
The palace hotels of the Right Bank
This is the simplest way to experience the weekend: continuous service, a table on site, a concierge who knows the city. Le Bristol, opened in 1925 on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, is arranged around a French formal garden of some 1,200 square metres. The Plaza Athénée, on avenue Montaigne since 1913, opens some rooms and suites onto the Eiffel Tower. The Four Seasons George V stands on the avenue of the same name, a short walk from the Champs-Élysées. All cited for illustration.
On the place Vendôme side, the Ritz Paris, opened in 1898 and reopened in 2016 after renovation, has 142 rooms and suites — half rooms, half suites —, around a large inner garden. A little further from the racecourse, it suits those combining the Arc with a longer Parisian stay.
Western Paris, at the edge of the Bois
The 16th arrondissement and the surroundings of the Bois de Boulogne bring you closer to the racecourse. Here you find more discreet hotels and exceptional apartments, a few minutes from the route des Tribunes.
It is the choice of those who put the racing first: arriving early for the parade, returning to change between two moments, avoiding the crossing of Paris on Sunday evening.
A private apartment, for hosting
For a group, a family or guests, a high-end private apartment, with household staff and a private chef, allows you to host before or after the race, without depending on a restaurant booking.
These addresses are generally rented for several nights; their conditions are confirmed before any commitment.
Criteria, minimum stays and timing: how to decide
Three criteria settle it. First, the number of racing days: for Sunday alone, a Right Bank palace hotel is enough; for the whole weekend, western Paris reduces travel. Then, use: living at the hotel with continuous service, or hosting at home. Finally, the programme: the race alone, or a Parisian stay with dinners, exhibitions and appointments.
Timing is the rule: in early October, Paris is in high demand, and the sought-after categories go early, sometimes with a minimum stay. The table below summarises the decision.
| Option | Strengths | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Palace hotel in the 8th — Le Bristol, Plaza Athénée, Four Seasons George V, for illustration | Continuous service, some twenty minutes from the Bois depending on traffic | Couples, stays centred on the Arc and the city |
| Place Vendôme — Ritz Paris, for illustration | The heart of Paris, a longer stay | Those combining the Arc with a Parisian stay |
| Western Paris, 16th arrondissement | As close as possible to the racecourse | Those coming for both racing days |
| Private apartment | Hosting, household staff, chef | Families, groups, guests |
Frequently asked questions
As soon as possible for October 2027. In early October, Paris is in high demand; a few weeks out, solutions remain, rarely in the sought-after categories.
No: it is within Paris, in the Bois de Boulogne, in the 16th arrondissement. From the Right Bank, allow some twenty minutes by car outside busy periods, longer on Arc Sunday.
Le Bristol for its garden, the Plaza Athénée and the Four Seasons George V for their proximity to western Paris, the Ritz Paris for the place Vendôme — cited for illustration. We guide you according to your programme and how you wish to experience the weekend.
Some categories offer one, notably at the Plaza Athénée. We request a category with a view; the hotel confirms subject to availability, and we tell you clearly what has been confirmed.
Sometimes, during the weekends in highest demand. Private apartments are generally rented for several nights. It is a factor to build in from the outset of planning the stay.
It is prepared on quotation, according to the address, the room category or the apartment's capacity, the number of nights and the services added — staff, chef, chauffeur. Availability and conditions are confirmed before any commitment.
No. The establishments are cited for illustration, with no partnership claimed. TGZ Conciergerie is an independent house, with no affiliation with France Galop or with ParisLongchamp racecourse, and no official status; we book through our own channels, on quotation.
Take it further
Your address for the weekend, booked early
Right Bank palace hotel, western Paris or private apartment: tell us how you wish to experience the weekend, and we compose the accommodation, the travel and the racing days — a single point of contact, on quotation.