As any Parisian will tell you, the start of summer is not marked by the solstice or a spell of hot weather, rather the season is kicked off on the courts of Roland Garros. The French Open is truly a national event, especially when a upstart Frenchman upsets a favorite or a native campion is crowned. Roland Garros Stadium has one of the most recognizable clay tennis courts in the world, holding an annual tournament rivaled only by the Australian and Wimbledon championships (sorry, US Open). Tickets are hard to come by, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be found outside the stadium or from a seller on the internet for a fair price. Billets or not, the energy of the tournament encapsulates Paris at a time when good weather already has Parisians sporting uncharacteristic smiles.
Paris Accommodation 1-bedroom apartment (pa-1882)
This year, the 80th anniversary of Roland Garros Stadium, the tournament begins on May 20th and runs until the championship game on the 8th of June (won this year by Rafael Nadal). The French Open, or just Roland Garros as the French call it, is a who’s who of international celebrities, never mind the world-class tennis players. With a new crop of French talent on both the men’s and women’s side, an upset of either of last year’s champions, Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin, would be a major event. Should a Frenchman or woman advance deep into the tournament expect a show of Parisian solidarity reserved for World Cup victories or national rail strikes. Those unwilling to shell out 50 euros for a seat at the Open can visit the stadium all year long. For €7,50 visitors can take a behind the scenes guided tour of the legendary Roland Garros in English or French. Tours take guests into the athlete’s locker room, media center and among the ghosts of past champions on the mythic clay court. Roland Garros is located in the the Bois de Boulogne, a massive, forest-like park bordering western Paris, a place well worth a spring or summer day trip.
New York Habitat has been accommodating French Open guests for years. This renovated studio accommodation in La Muette, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-3701) is within short walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, Bois de Boulogne and Roland Garros. This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel (PA-2431) has a decorators touch and is steps from the Seine and a few blocks from Roland Garros. A bit further from the action is this 1-bedroom rental apartment in Grenelle, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-1882), a deceptively spacious top-floor accommodation.
The best way to enjoy tennis in Paris? Buy a couple of cheap rackets, a sleeve of balls and head out to one of Paris’ myriad public courts.
Related apartment rental posts from New York Habitat:
- New York Habitat Accommodations for the 2008 US Open
- French Open 2007: Apartments in Auteuil
- A Tale of Three (TENNIS) Cities
- Paris Fall Festival
July 24th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I would really advise you to go to yhe French Open “Roland Garros” if you have the opportunity. The ambiance, there is unic. If you are lucky you see soe famous players. Grab a good French Baguette sandwich in one of the Food court and a bottle of Perrier/Evian and enjoy the game. Hopefully you will have beautiful weather if not don’t forget to take your umbrella. After your game you can have a pick at the horse raceat Auteuil Hippodrome and ahve a nice promenade in the Bois de Boulogne, both places are in short walk of the Roland Garros Stadium.