Paris Race and Sports Book

Review

Like the resort that encompasses it, the Paris' Race and Sports Book is a thing of beauty.

Attractive horse-racing murals decorate a book that doesn't have a seat without an individual TV in front of it. If the small screen isn't what you're about, all you have to do is look up. The front of the book is dedicated to horseplayers and features five projection-size screens and 15 smaller TVs to the front and an additional nine TVs to the right. A significant amount of betting material can be found to the viewer's right (sports) and left (race).

The sports viewing area is just a fraction of the race area's size but also features five equally sized projection screens. Unfortunately, form didn't quite follow function here with regard to viewing comfort. The sight lines might cause a stiff neck if you're viewing for any amount of time. It's a bit like being at the front row of a movie theatre.

The chairs in both areas are modern and comfortable and feature wheels, which is handy when rolling from your individual TV to the area in between for big-screen viewing. The book's electronic boards can be found on the viewer's right, in the sports area.

The Bar du Sport is just behind the book. Its TVs are small and positioned too high, but the good beer and food make up for it.

-- Staff Report