The French Open, held annually at the legendary Roland Garros stadium in Paris, is one of the most awaited tennis tournaments of the year. To attend this Grand Slam event is a dream for many tennis nerds and we truly recommend to go at least once in your life.
If you’re planning to get over to Paris this year, make sure you read the below tips and recommendations to get the most out of your tennis travels.
About the French Open
The French Open (or “Roland Garros” as it’s known for many) started in 1891 and is one of four Grand Slam tournaments each year. It’s being played at the Stade Roland Garros which have 20 tennis courts covering 21 acres.
Roland Garros is the main clay court tournament in the world and actually the only Grand Slam held on this surface.
When is the French Open? 20th May to 9th June, 2024
Current Champions
- Men’s Singles: Novak Djokovic
- Women’s Singles: Iga Swiatek
- Men’s Doubles: Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek
- Women’s Doubles: Wang Xinyu and Hsieh Su-wei
- Mixed Doubles: Miyu Kato and Tim Pütz
French Open Location and Travel Tips
In terms of space, this is the smallest of the Grand Slam venues, it’s very central and not exactly the most modern. The stadium is located just a few kilometers from the Arc de Triomphe.
This tournament is all about the charm though, as well as great tennis battles of course. We all know that clay courts demands a different skillset and mentality from hard-courts.
Before you arrive, take some time to familiarise yourself with the layout of the venue and also the schedule of matches. Knowing where the main courts, practice courts and amenities are located will save you some time and hassle for sure.
The matches usually begin around 10 in the morning and continue until early evening when it’s a full tournament day.Â
Getting to the Venue
It’s easy to reach the Stade Roland Garros by metro from most central areas. The “official” lines for the metro are 9 and 10 and they are best suited for most travellers.
The Metro is very well taken care of, usually safe, clean and punctual. Porte d’Auteuil is a good stop for just a short walk to the courts. Some fans like to bike into the stadiums as well, much recommended if you got the chance!
Tickets
Tickets for the French Open go on sale from the 13th March on the official site! Tickets go fast so plan your visit at an early stage to get the ticket you need.
There are several options when buying tickets for the French Open. Below is an overview of the most common ones.
Show Court Tickets
If you’re eager to watch the top players compete on the main courts like Philippe-Chatrier, Suzanne-Lenglen or Simonne-Mathieu, you’ll need to buy individual tickets for these sessions. These tickets are typically in quite high demand, especially for the later rounds, so make sure to purchase them as early as possible. You can get these tickets directly from the official website (link above) or ticketing partners such as Ticketmaster or Vivid Seats.
Grounds Passes
For a more affordable option that still allows you to experience the whole thrill of the French Open, why not consider buying ground passes. These passes provide access to the outer courts, practice courts, fan zones and other entertainment areas around the stadiums.
Grounds passes are ideal for tennis fans who want to catch multiple matches throughout the day and soak up the lively atmosphere. Normally, you can purchase grounds passes online in advance or at the venue on the day of your visit.
Package Deals
Some travel agencies and tour operators offer package deals that include tickets to the French Open, accommodation, and other perks like guided tours or transportation to and from the tournament. Not our cup of tea, but it’s a convenient option for anyone who prefer to have all the details of their trip arranged.
Secondary Market
If you’re unable to get tickets through official channels or are looking for last-minute options, you can always check out the secondary market for resale tickets. Websites like StubHub and Ticketmaster Resale allow fans to buy and sell tickets for sporting events, including the French Open. However, be cautious when purchasing tickets from resellers to avoid scams.
What to Bring?
The weather in Paris can be a bit unpredictable so think of that when packing clothes. A thin rain jacket or umbrella is never wrong. Comfortable shoes are a must, as it’s a lot of walking and standing. A cap/hat, sunscreen as well as water bottles are as important here as any tennis tournament.
If you’re picking up the tickets, make sure you’re carrying your passport or a valid ID to identify yourself.
Restrictions at the Grounds
They are not overly strict in general at the French Open. You can take in a small rucksack and you can bring in with you both food and water. Many travellers recommend bringing your own food.
As usual, camera lenses are sensitive and the limit is 20cm, this is something they might check.
Court Areas and Other Attractions
We strongly recommend walking around the grounds and feel the atmosphere! If there’s a good match you don’t have tickets to, you can head over to the main square and watch it together with other fans.
It’s known for having a lot of good merchandising available around the courts. So why now pick up some nice tennis clothes, bags etc? The food options are “ok”, everything from traditional French cuisine to global favourites, nothing extraordinary but also not very over-priced.
You can visit the Fan region where you’ll find food stalls, shops and other entertainment. Or check out the Roland Garros Museum to learn about the history of the tournament.
Is it worth it Visiting the French Open?
Most fans that has been here would surely say yes! This is historical grounds and by far the best clay court event to visit! Let us know in the comments below if you visited the Roland Garros already!
Some more resources to check out:
1 comment
Great blog post – thank you!
Just wondering if the process for purchasing tickets through the official resale is easy enough once it opens?
I’ve got a trip from Australia all planned and book but unfortunately I was unable to get tickets through the main sale (224,000 in the queue!!). I’m hoping to get tickets to the women’s semis – do you think I stand a chance when resale opens (or do you have any tips/tricks?
Thanks ?