"French chic" has become synonymous with the country's powerhouse fashion labels, including Channel, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent.
French fashion —
"French chic" has become synonymous with the country's powerhouse fashion labels, including Channel, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent.
Getty Images
The fashion stakes are high at the Prix de 'Arc de Triomphe, with many race-goers opting for a classic, elegant style.
Parisian chic —
The fashion stakes are high at the Prix de 'Arc de Triomphe, with many race-goers opting for a classic, elegant style.
Getty Images
Spanish model Irene Salvador set the tone last year in a 1920s-inspired ensemble. The French race attracts a more demure style than the extroverted costumes seen at Britain's Royal Ascot.
Model behaviour —
Spanish model Irene Salvador set the tone last year in a 1920s-inspired ensemble. The French race attracts a more demure style than the extroverted costumes seen at Britain's Royal Ascot.
Getty Images
Monaco's Princess Charlotte Casiraghi, the daughter of Princess Caroline, was one of the high-profile guests at last year's Arc. The prestigious race regularly attracts royalty, political leaders and business heavyweights from across Europe.
A royal event —
Monaco's Princess Charlotte Casiraghi, the daughter of Princess Caroline, was one of the high-profile guests at last year's Arc. The prestigious race regularly attracts royalty, political leaders and business heavyweights from across Europe.
Getty Images
France's Industry Minister Eric Besson and wife Yasmine Tordjman also brought glamor to the stands in 2011. Politicians are a common sight at Longchamp, with many owning race horses.
Movers and shakers —
France's Industry Minister Eric Besson and wife Yasmine Tordjman also brought glamor to the stands in 2011. Politicians are a common sight at Longchamp, with many owning race horses.
Getty Images
Ladies at Britain's Royal Ascot tend to have a more flamboyant style than their counterparts across The Channel. "French dressing is less spectacular," says Arc spokesman Julien Pescatore.
Meanwhile, across the Channel... —
Ladies at Britain's Royal Ascot tend to have a more flamboyant style than their counterparts across The Channel. "French dressing is less spectacular," says Arc spokesman Julien Pescatore.
Getty Images
Some fashion racing accessories appear universal -- such as the obligatory outrageous hat. A Royal Ascot punter dons a football-themed hat at this year's races.
Hat's off —
Some fashion racing accessories appear universal -- such as the obligatory outrageous hat. A Royal Ascot punter dons a football-themed hat at this year's races.
Getty Images
The picturesque Parisian race track is named after the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp windmill, orginally built as part of a 13th century monastery.
Picture perfect —
The picturesque Parisian race track is named after the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp windmill, orginally built as part of a 13th century monastery.
Getty Images
The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club-sponsored event is the richest in Europe, with almost €8 million ($10.4 million) in prize money on offer over the weekend.
World class —
The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club-sponsored event is the richest in Europe, with almost €8 million ($10.4 million) in prize money on offer over the weekend.
Getty Images
Jockey Andrasch Starke celebrates on the podium after German horse Danedream wins the 2011 race. The defending champion was banned from traveling this year after training at the Cologne racecourse, which is under strict quarantine following the detection of swamp fever.
No Danedream —
Jockey Andrasch Starke celebrates on the podium after German horse Danedream wins the 2011 race. The defending champion was banned from traveling this year after training at the Cologne racecourse, which is under strict quarantine following the detection of swamp fever.
Getty Images
French jockey Christophe Soumillon will be riding Japan's big hope Orfevre. His chances of winning now look slim after drawing the far outside stall 18.
Japan's big hope —
French jockey Christophe Soumillon will be riding Japan's big hope Orfevre. His chances of winning now look slim after drawing the far outside stall 18.
Getty Images