Page 352 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

350  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Gyms
The Piscine Henry de Monther- The world-renowned Prix de
lant is part of a municipal sports There are a number of gyms l’Arc de Triomphe is held at the
complex that includes tennis in Paris that you can use with Hippodrome de Longchamp,
courts and a gym. a day pass. You can generally in the Bois de Boulogne, on the
The beautiful Art Nouveau expect to pay €20 or more, first Sunday in October. More
Piscine Butte-aux-Cailles (see depending on the facilities. flat racing takes place at the
pp276–7) is a treat for serious Club Med Gym is a well- Hippodrome de St-Cloud and
swimmers and sunbathers. equipped chain with over 20 Hippodrome de Maisons-
A decent-sized indoor pool is gyms in Paris and the suburbs. Laffitte, which are a short drive
perfect for laps, while the two The Espace Sportif Pontoise, in west of Paris. For steeple-
outdoor swimming areas are the Latin Quarter, offers a good- chasing, go to the Hippodrome
great for lounging. The villagey value (€11.10) weekday evening d’Auteuil, in the Bois de
atmosphere of the surrounding pass that allows you to use the Boulogne. The Hippodrome de
area only serves to reinforce the gym, pool and sauna. More Vincennes hosts the trotting
feeling of relaxing on holiday, upmarket is the sleek L’Usine, in races. For detailed information
miles away from the city. the Opéra district, with a gym, on all of these, consult France
The Piscine Joséphine Baker hammam and saunas. In theory, Galop (www.france-galop.com).
floats on the Seine near the the Ritz Health Club, which has One of the best-known road
Bibliothèque François- one of the finest indoor pools in races in the world is the 24-hour
Mitterrand. In the summer, Paris, is for guests or members car race at Le Mans, 185 km
the rooftop terrace is a good only. However, if the hotel is (115 miles) south-west of Paris.
spot for sunbathing. not too full, you can buy a day It takes place every year in mid-
Some of the more exclusive pass. Note that some swimming June. Contact the Automobile
hotels and gyms also have pools also have gyms. Club de l’Ouest for details.
their own swimming pools. A number of events, including
It is possible to buy a day pass Skating the BNP Paribas Masters of
to the chic Club Med Gym in tennis, world-class martial arts
Rue Louis Armand and have Ice-skating can be enjoyed year- demonstrations, tournaments
access to their pool. Similarly, round at the Patinoire Sonja in everything from figure
at the Novotel Tour Eiffel, Henie at the AccorHotels Arena skating to handball, and rock
non-guests are welcomed to in Bercy; the DJ-led sessions on concerts are held at the
their health club and pool, Friday and Saturday evenings AccorHotels Arena.
which has a retractable roof are particularly lively. The city’s The Parc des Princes, which
for swimming under the sun other indoor rink is Patinoire can hold 50,000 people, is home
in spring and summer. Pailleron, in the 19th to the main Paris football team,
It is important to note that arrondissement. A winter-only first-division Paris St-Germain.
all municipal pools and some rink operates outside the Hôtel The colossal Stade de
private ones insist that all de Ville and in the splendid France is a major venue
bathers wear swimming caps setting of the Grand Palais. for international football
and that male guests wear matches, the Six Nations
swim ming trunks rather than rugby tournament and music
baggy shorts. Spectator Sports concerts. Sports fans can go
The annual Tour de France on a behind-the-scenes tour.
bicycle race (www.letour.fr) Famous for its international
Tennis and Squash finishes in July in Paris, with the tennis tournament, the French
Tennis can be played at more French president awarding the Open, the Stade Roland Garros
than 40 municipal sites; you coveted maillot jaune (yellow is located in Avenue Gordon-
can book a slot online at jersey) to the winner. For over Bennett at the southern
www.tennis.paris.fr. The most 20 years now, the final stage of boundary of the Bois de
central courts – and the ones the tour has taken place over Boulogne. From late May to
with the nicest setting – are several laps of a circuit taking in mid-June, everyone lives and
at Tennis Luxembourg, at the the Louvre, the quays along the breathes tennis. Even business
Jardin du Luxembourg. Tennis Seine and the Champs-Elysées. meetings are transferred from
La Faluère in the Bois de Finding a spot to watch can be the conference room to the
Vincennes has the most courts extremely tough, so it’s best to stadium. Apply for tickets
(21), and because it has so hunt down your space several several months ahead, and
many, you can often just turn hours before the riders are due. don’t miss a trip to the
up and find a court free. Squash Other cycling events, including stadium’s excellent museum
can be played at the Espace time trials, are held at the Vélo- of tennis, featuring everything
Sportif Pontoise, which also drome National, in the suburbs from prototype rackets to a
has a swimming pool and gym. at St-Quentin-en-Yvelines. Bjorn Bjorg headband. Also,
Other good clubs include the A day out at the races gives be sure to book a table at one
Squash Montmartre and the you a chance to see the rich of the restaurants here, which
Le Club du Jeu de Paume. and famous in all their finery. are places to see and be seen.

334-351_EW_Paris.indd 350 03/04/17 2:54 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.3)
Date 17th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm