Paris: How to experience the French Open on a budget
The French Open takes place every spring, from late May to early June, at the Roland Garros tennis venue in Paris. The best players in the world set foot on the famous red clay courts as stylish Parisians and tennis fans cheer them on. It’s a dramatic two-week tournament that features sensational tennis and a fun atmosphere for spectators.
You might think that this world-class sporting event would be out of the reach of a budget traveler — but it’s not!
With tickets starting at only €15 and the venue accessible by the Metro, the French Open is surprisingly affordable if you plan ahead. Read on for tips from our recent trip to Roland Garros.
Paris travel tips:
• 50 Ways to save on your trip to Paris
• Our favorite 15 cheap hotels in Paris
• 8 Fantastic day trips less than an hour from Paris
How to attend the French Open on a budget
Full disclosure: I love tennis, so it should be no surprise that passionate tennis fans will be in heaven at Roland Garros. But even if you’ve never even picked up a racket, the French Open offers a special experience that you can only find in Paris.
With daylight stretching past 10 pm, spring is a wonderful time to visit as the city comes alive after a long winter. The people watching is amazing at Roland Garros, and if you need a break from the action on the courts, you can always splurge for a glass of Champagne and shop for fun souvenirs. And who knows? If you catch Roland Garros fever, you might even come away with making the French Open an annual tradition.
Getting tickets
I purchased a ticket on the official Roland Garros website for the first round of action when they went on sale in March. My €40 ticket got me a reserved seat with a great view in Court 1 (affectionately known as the “Bullring”) for four matches (two women’s and two men’s games). It also gave me access to 17 other courts for the whole day. And unlike American sporting events where Ticketmaster can gouge you with extra charges, the online fee was only €2 per ticket. Not a bad deal for nine hours of tennis!
If €30 or €40 is too much for your budget, you can find much cheaper options. Tickets can go as low as €15 for general admission (or even lower for students). And they’re not as hard to get as you might think. Even if you’re in Paris without tickets during the French Open, it’s worth seeing what’s available. There were several tickets available during each day of the tournament when I was there. You can check for tickets online.
The main venue at Roland Garros, Court Philippe Chatrier. Photo: Craig Nelson
Getting there
The easiest way to get to Roland Garros is by Metro. The nearest stations, Michel-Ange – Molitor or Boulogne – Jean Jaurès on the 10 line and Exelmans on the 9 line, are all about a 10-minute walk from the venue. There’s lots of security, so make sure to factor in extra time if you’re trying to catch an early match. You can check out the Roland Garros map to see all the points of entry and nearby transit stops.
Book a hotel near Roland Garros
Since the Metro is easily accessible from almost anywhere in Paris, you can stay close to the 10 Metro line near the Jardin du Luxembourg or Sorbonne . The Latin Quarter offers quick access and a classic neighborhood to enjoy.
Alternatively, you can cut your morning commute time by booking a hotel near the French Open. Not surprisingly, prices will spike during the tournament, but if you book way in advance, you can find some good deals.
Search for hotels near Roland Garros
The scene outside Court Suzanne Lenglen. Photo: Craig Nelson
What to bring (and what to leave at your hotel)
Although there is heavy security, you can still bring a bag to the event. Big backpacks are not allowed, but they do have a place to check items right outside the gates which is very convenient. You can also bring a water bottle up 1.5 liters. But leave the wine behind because no alcohol is allowed. You can read more about what is prohibited on the official Roland Garros website.
Pack a lunch
Unlike some sporting events (we’re looking at you US Open!), you can bring in food and waters. If you plan on spending a full day at Roland Garros, this will save you a suitcase full of euros. We suggest picking up a baguette sandwich, a bottle of water (plastic only), and maybe some dessert before hopping on the Metro.
However, if you don’t bring anything, Cheapos won’t be stuck. Surprisingly tasty sandwiches and salads range from €5-9, a very reasonable price. Throw in a beer or glass of wine for €5-7, and you’ll have an ideal Parisian lunch. You can also upgrade to Champagne, but that’s a little outside the cheapo budget. Being Europe, they add an extra euro to your bill for a beverage to encourage you to return your plastic cup for a refund. Don’t leave without getting that euro coin back!
Plan for rain and/or sun
Springtime in Paris is absolutely beautiful. But it can also bring rain and thunderstorms. Matches are frequently delayed or postponed, so be prepared for a drizzle or even a thunderstorm or two. The day I went, matches were delayed due to a steady rain, but the skies quickly cleared for the rest of the day – until a huge thunderstorm stopped the action around 8 pm.
Bring an umbrella and a jacket with you, because buying them at the Roland Garros gift shop will probably cost you more than your ticket. Also, bring sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen because the courts have very little cover. If the sun is shining, you can burn pretty quickly if you’re not prepared.
Related: What to do in Paris when it drizzles
Fans watching the action on the big screen. Photo: Craig Nelson
Soak in the atmosphere
Even if you have a seat in one of the main stadiums, make sure to walk around and see the other courts and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Grab a seat in one of the orange lounge chairs in front of the big screen to watch marquee match-ups. The day I was there, Serena Williams debuted her famous catsuit to play her first match of the tournament. And during the early rounds, you can just roam from court to court to see who’s playing. The smaller courts are an excellent way to get up close to the best tennis players in the world.
During my strolls, I encountered players being interviewed, French celebrities taking selfies with fans, and an overall feeling of joy. The staff was very helpful at every turn, even to a fan like me who speaks very little French!
Pick up a souvenir
You can’t go all the way to the French Open and not bring something back home to remember your tennis experience. There were several souvenir and apparel shops set up around the grounds. I looked past the expensive shirts and accessories to choose a tote bag and some colorful, old-school wristbands that cost about €10 each.
Strolling around Roland Garros is just as much fun as the tennis. Photo: Craig Nelson
Plan your escape route
If you stay until the last match (usually around 8 or 9 pm), be prepared for a long and slow walk back to the subway station. If you have dinner reservations or evening plans, you might want to beat the crowds and leave a little earlier. For the easiest subway route, the Roland Garros website suggests, “When leaving the stadium, choose Michel-Ange Molitor station (lines 9 and 10) to avoid the queues that often build up at other stations.”
If you plan on just wandering the neighborhood and finding an affordable restaurant, don’t stop at the first place you see. Many of the restaurants near Roland Garros are nice but spendy. Luckily, I walked a little bit farther until I stumbled upon Le Village D’Auteuil, a lively bistro with classic French eats at reasonable prices.
Your French Open tips
Have you been to the French Open? Tell us your tips for visiting Roland Garros.
About the author
A few years ago we were in Paris for a week during the final days of the French Open tennis. We had no plans to go to Roland Garros but we were walking to the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) in the middle of the city. We found a gigantic screen that had been set up, lots of people, plus a court that people could play on. We watched Serena Williams on that giant screen for an hour or so. I don’t know if this is done every year and if it is set up during all two weeks of the play but that is really a cheapo way to watch the French Open at no cost and still feel that you
are surrounded by many hundreds of fans.
That’s a really fun way to watch it! I’ve done that in New York for the US Open at public viewing spots.