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Famous race-tracks - come with me on my journey....

to discover some of the most famous or underrated race-tracks in the world.

My first visit to a race-track outside the UK was made to Deauville-La Touques Racecourse, Normandy, France home to some of the best horse racing events.

In 2011 I journeyed to Sligo Racetrack in Southern Ireland.

Deauville is a glorious course situated near the centre of Deauville, constructed in 1862 by Charles Auguste Louis Joseph, duc de Morny, the half brother of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte.

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It is all kept in immaculate and pristine condition and even the stable blocks exude Olde Worlde charm.

I visited with my sister, Sarah and on arriving by car from Caen along the coast road we stopped at the Tourist office for directions to the race track.

To our surprise we were offered free entry tickets so I recommend you do the same to avoid paying (admittedly only a few Euros) to get in. This was in early July so when the season gets into full swing the free entry may not be available.

The Race-Tracks

It is a huge course covering 75 hectares and boasts three horse tracks

* Straight: 1600m rope.

* Round Outdoor turf Track: 2200m righthanded.

* Round Indoor synthetic Track 2000m righthanded.

The Weighing Room is a large attractive free standing building behind the Parade Ring / winners enclosure. The parade ring is easily accessible to all and there are seats on a low bank to watch the horses walk round.

The main Grandstand building for placing bets is a series of halls with overhead race monitors displaying the current race prices and counters for placing your bets.

Being unfamiliar with the process, we were advised by a friendly french official, who took our bets and offered advice as to the likely winner. (He even amused us by singing us a snatch of a french racing song)

The horse (which we backed) went on to win his race and is pictured here.

Deauville Winners Enclosure

The toilets are situated in this building and are clean, airy and well appointed.

Having placed your bets you move out through the building to the standsoverlooking the race-tracks from which you have a good view of the entire race track.

Group 1 races staged:

* Prix Jacques Le Marois

* Prix Jean Romanet

* Prix Maurice de Gheest

* Prix Morny

* Prix Rothschild

How to get to the race-tracks

By train:

Direct connection from Paris Saint-Lazare to Deauville-Trouville, multiple round trips per day, click here to obtain the schedules and fares or to make an online reservation.

By road:Caen-Deauville: N176 then N177Paris-Deauville: A13195 km, including 186 km of highway (necessary time : approx. 2h05mn)Toll fares: 8.80 eurosMore details on the SAPN official web site

By sea:

Multiple trips per day

Brittany Ferries: Portsmouth - Caen/Ouistreham - Tel: 00 33 (0)2.31.36.36.36

LD Lines : Portsmouth - Le Havre - Tel: 0 825 304 304

By air:

Connections with the international airport Deauville-St GatienTaxis airplanes, charters, helicopters. Tel: 00 33 (0)2.31.65.65.65

By bus:

Bus connections by the Bus Verts du Calvados line n°20 between Caen - Deauville - Honfleur - Le Havre

Deauville Grandstand

Admission to the race-tracks

under 18's Free

Student cards and 60 + €1.5 Week €2 Sunday, holidays

Standard rate €3 Week €4 Sunday, holidays

Lodges years inclusive 4 places € 850.00

6 seats €1,000

Reserved seats

On Weekdays €4

On the day Sunday and holidays €8

A season without restriction €60

* The capacity is 10,000 seats

* 2000 parking spaces (€1 and €2 weekdays weekends)

* A panoramic restaurant

* Possibility to rent spaces by the day or season.

SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Catering

* A panoramic restaurant "La Toque"

* A brewery "The Paddock Gardens"

* Snack bar "The Stud"

* A bar "The gowns.

Local hotels

La Closerie

Deauville self-catering condo property with a full-service health spa. This hotel is rated 4 stars out of 5

This Deauville condo property is located near Deauville La Touques Racecourse and Plage Deauville. Another nearby point of interest is Trouville Beach.

156 avenue de la République

Deauville 14800

France

L'Augeval

Deauville romantic hotel with a full-service health spa

Star Rating - This hotel is rated 3 stars out of 5

15 Avenue Hocquart De Turtot

Deauville 14800

France

UK Racecourses

Ascot Racecourse

Irish Racecourses