In late May and early June, the Roland-Garros stadium, in the 16th arrondissement on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, hosts the French Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments and the only one played on clay. The event draws a large international crowd every year, between tennis fans coming to watch matches on site and visitors soaking up the atmosphere around the venue. The neighborhood around the stadium lends itself well to a full day out: several major sights are just a few minutes away on foot or by car, a good option for extending your outing before or after a match.
Court Philippe-Chatrier
The stadium's center court, with its distinctive red clay, hosts the tournament's most prestigious matches in front of nearly 15,000 spectators beneath its retractable roof.
The Fondation Louis Vuitton
Just a few minutes from the stadium on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, this contemporary art museum, with its spectacular architecture by Frank Gehry, is a great way to round out the day between two match sessions.
Tips
Tickets for the outside courts (other than Philippe-Chatrier and Suzanne-Lenglen) often let you catch several matches in the same day at a lower price, a good way to experience the tournament's atmosphere without booking months in advance, as is often necessary for the main courts. The Bois de Boulogne, right next to the stadium, offers a pleasant break between matches: bike rental, lakes and gardens let you step away from the tournament atmosphere for a while before heading back in.
