If you are a fan of world tennis, you will know at least a little about the famous Roland Garros Stadium and the French Open.

In late May and early June, Le Stade Roland Garros (Roland Garros Stadium) comes alive for the year’s second Grand Slam event – the French Open. Post COVID-19 interruptions, the event is back to business as usual.

The Roland Garros complex sits on 8.5 hectares at the southern boundary of the Bois de Boulogne in Paris’ 16th arrondissement. The courts are composed of volcanic rock, sand and concrete, topped with white limestone and red brick dust. However, for simplicity, they are usually called ‘red clay’ courts.

The stadium houses twenty courts, including three major venues: Court Philippe Chatrier (14,840 capacity), Court Suzanne Lenglen, (10,068) and Court Simonne-Mathieu (3,800).

Court Philippe Chatrier has recently been renovated and welcomes visitors with an impressive new look.

History of Roland Garros Stadium

The stadium is named in honour of the French aviator, M. Roland Garros, a World War I hero, who shot down five enemy planes before being killed in aerial combat in 1918.

Ten years after Garros’ death, the stadium was built to host France’s first defence of the Davis Cup. France’s ‘Four Musketeers’ – Jacques Brugnon, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste – had won the Cup in 1927; they were to hold it until 1932.

Today, the men contesting the French Open compete for La Coupe des Mousquetaires and each of the four main grandstands bears the name of one of the Musketeers.

Going to the French Open

Latest news for 2024

The 2024 tournament will be held from Sunday 26 May to Sunday 9 June.

For early birds, Package Tours (Hotels and Tickets) for the 2024 tournament are now available, via the Roland Garros official travel site.

Scheduled official sale of tickets for the French Open matches will start in March 2024. Dates will be announced later and updated here.

For all details on ticketing, go to the Roland Garros site.

Note: Some unendorsed sites are already advertising tickets for sale. Buying them from these sites is not advised.

Whether you go for one day’s play or put in a more dedicated effort, the French Open at Roland Garros is an experience.

French Open Tickets

There is a range of ticket packages. You should only buy them from the official online site.

When you buy your tickets, there is a rigorous registration and security process. The information you enter on the online form should match your official ID (preferably a passport). You will need this ID when you go through security at the stadium, where you have to scan your e-ticket and collect your personalised pass. The gate staff will check the pass and match it with your ID. Then you are in! Don’t lose the pass, because you might be asked for it again on the way out.

For these reasons, and just plain common sense, don’t be tempted to buy tickets from scalpers. You will be accosted by dozens of them if you are walking anywhere near the stadium, but trying to buy tickets this way is illegal and almost certainly pointless – they will be invalid.

Since Covid-19, security and hygiene controls are even more complex.

For example: (from June 2023) ‘From 9 June onwards, ‘…any spectators aged 11 and over who wish to enter Roland-Garros stadium must present a “Health Pass” with a 2D-DOC QR Code. Any documents issued outside of France will not be accepted for the Health Pass’. Check on the site for updates.

If the whole process seems complex and even a little bizarre, that’s because it is! However, the attendants are polite, the French fans are enthusiastic (especially for their compatriots) and the atmosphere is great.

This year, one thing is certain: nothing is certain. It will be a French Open like no other. So just go with the flow.

Facilities at Roland Garros Stadium

Lack of shade can be a problem on hot, sunny days; rain can also be a challenge. There are no covered courts and precious little shelter from the elements. But all this is to change – so we are told.

There are several dining options – eat-in and take-away – at a variety of food stalls and kiosks. The fare is expensive, although not as ridiculously priced as at some other sports venues.

There is a stricter attitude to drinking than at other world tennis events. Apart from the formal dine-in venues, the Roland Garros Bar is the only place where you can purchase alcohol.

Take a tour

There are conducted tours of the complex available every day; the 11:00am and 3:00pm sessions are in English. The tour is extensive and a lot of fun.

Book your tour tickets online.

See more Francy That! suggestions about Things To Do in Paris.

Information

Website

For general information you can go to the website home page.

Getting there

Address: Stade Roland Garros is located in the western area of Paris, in 16th arr., near the southern boundary of the Bois de Boulogne.
Métro: Michel-Ange Auteuil and Michel-Ange–Molitor (Line 9); Porte d’Auteuil and Michel-Ange–Molitor (Line 10)
Bus: Routes 22, 32, 52, 62, 72, 123, 241 and PC1.
Taxi: During the French Open, a special Roland Garros taxi stand operates on the southeast corner of the venue grounds, at the corner of Avenue Robert Schuman and Boulevard Auteuil.

More details on the website.