The Roland Garros Stadium Tour has been a dream of mine ever since I became a fan of tennis, watching iconic matches like the 2008 Federer vs. Nadal Wimbledon final and since then, I have kept a close eye on grand slams.
Growing up in India, cricket was the sport I played the most (like every other kid!). From smashing windows in my living room to playing in alleys, cricket was my first love. My mom even enrolled me in a cricket academy in Margao, Goa, and I eventually captained the U16 cricket team at New Era High School.
So when I was in Paris to attend KubeCon, taking the Roland Garros Stadium Tour was one of the things along with visiting the Eiffel Tower and taking the Seine River Cruise. In this blog, I’m going to share my experience of the Roland Garros Stadium tour and everything else to help you plan your trip.
History of Roland Garros
You might already know by now, that I love to learn about the past of places I visit, things I eat and everything else. So let’s look at the past of Roland Garros.
The stadium was built in 1928 after the French team’s victory at the Davis Cup on American soil and they wanted a stadium to defend the title. The team was led by the famous “Four Musketeers” of French tennis and that’s when the interest in Tennis grew. The French Tennis Federation commissioned the stadium to meet the growing popularity of tennis in France and provide a world-class venue for international tournaments.
Interestingly it was named after Roland Garros a war hero and a fighter aviator during World War 1 and was also the first person to fly across the Mediterranean Sea in 1913.
Though the stadium was built in 1928, Roland Garros became a part of the official Grand Slams only in 1968 and is the only one with a clay surface when compared to the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open. The French Open typically takes place from late May to early June, making it one of the most anticipated events on the tennis calendar.
Over the years, this has become a challenging grand slam, with legendary players like Rafael Nadal, Chris Evert, and Bjorn Borg dominating the clay courts.
Details Of Roland Garros Stadium Tour
For tennis fans and history buffs like me, the Roland Garros guided stadium tour offers a unique glimpse behind the scenes of one of the most iconic venues in tennis. From visiting the legendary Philippe-Chatrier Court to walking through the players’ gallery, this tour immerses you in the world of tennis and gives you an unforgettable experience.
Here are the key details you need to know about the Roland Garros Stadium Tour:
- Duration: The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to explore the stadium’s highlights.
- Languages Offered: The guided tour is available in both English and French. However, if you’re in a group, they can customise tours in other international languages as well.
- Key places included:
- Outer Lawns: Walk through the green spaces surrounding the stadium and witness the statues of the four musketeers.
- Philippe-Chatrier Court: Step onto the most famous clay court in the world.
- Players Gallery: See where past champions have walked.
- Locker Rooms: Occasionally accessible, depending on events.
- Media and Press Room: Experience where the world’s press covers the tournament.
- Trophy Cabinet: View the trophies up close and see the names of the champions on it.
- Shopping Area: Explore exclusive French Open merchandise.
- Cost: 19 euros for adults.
- How to get there: Easily accessible by Paris Metro and Bus services. The closest metro station is Porte d’Auteuil (Line 10), and bus routes 32 and 52 stop nearby.
- Facilities:
- Shopping: A dedicated area to purchase official Roland Garros souvenirs and merchandise.
- Washrooms: Only available at the entry and exit points, so plan accordingly.
Book your Roland Garros Stadium Tour Online.
My Experience: A Dream Tour of Roland Garros
The night before my tour, it rained heavily, and I wasn’t sure if the tour would go ahead. I emailed the stadium team that morning, expecting no reply, but to my surprise, I got a response within an hour confirming that the tour was still on! Excited, I took my usual metro route from Plaisance to Porte d’Auteuil. It was a weekend, so the metro was fairly empty, and after a pleasant 10-15 minute walk from the station, I reached the stadium.
Though millions watch the French Open worldwide, the stadium complex felt surprisingly small. Maybe it’s just the nature of the sport, but compared to the sprawling cricket stadiums in India, Roland Garros is much more intimate.
Walking in the Footsteps of Legends
I met my guide at the entrance, and our group of 20 began by walking through the outer lawns, learning about the history of tennis and the stadium. We stopped at the bronze statues of the Four Musketeers—Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet, and René Lacoste—French tennis legends who dominated the sport in the 1920s and 30s.
Next, we entered the centre court area and got our first glimpse of the iconic red clay. It looked surreal, so different from what I’d seen on TV. The green sponsor boards, the Rolex logo—everything was just as I imagined, but even more breathtaking in real life. I had goosebumps!
Stepping into Tennis History
We moved through the media room in the basement, where real-time news and updates are shared across the globe. Then we visited the press room, where so many iconic post-match interviews have taken place. Walking through the player gallery, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Seeing Roger Federer’s name there was a special moment for me.
Finally, we reached the centre court. Standing there was a surreal experience— I could almost hear the sound of the ball hitting the racquet and Nadal’s iconic grunts in my head. I wish I could watch a live match here someday. (As is I had never dreamt of visiting Paris ever, but stars were aligned and it happened, so hoping to watch a Grand Slam someday)
We then moved out of the court and went to another part of the stadium – the trophy room. That’s where we saw the French Open Trophies and the names of winners etched on it. Surreal to see Rafa dominate most of it. Lastly, we headed out of the court where we saw the magnificent steel statue of Rafael Nadal, the undisputed “King of Clay.”
The tour ended at the store, and though there were plenty of options—caps, T-shirts, and even tennis racquets—I picked up a fridge magnet as a souvenir. It was the perfect way to cap off what was truly a dream come true.
A Tennis Fan’s Dream Come True
The Roland Garros Stadium Tour was an experience I’ll never forget. From learning about the rich history of the French Open and its connection to legendary figures and the Four Musketeers to standing on the centre court where champions are crowned—it was nothing short of surreal. The sight of the red clay, the feel of the stadium, the media rooms, and the player gallery all brought to life what I’d only ever seen on TV. And, of course, seeing Nadal’s statue—a tribute to the King of Clay—was a highlight for me.
For any tennis fan, this tour is an absolute must. It’s not just a walk through tennis history; it’s an emotional journey into the heart of one of the greatest sports venues in the world. I walked away feeling inspired and more connected to the sport than ever before.
And for those of you who are more into football, don’t worry—Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) stadium tour is another fantastic option! Whether you love tennis or football, Paris offers an unforgettable sporting experience that’s sure to excite any fan.
Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better day at Roland Garros—truly a dream come true! Feel free to drop a comment for any further information or reach out to me for any assistance. Drop your thoughts in the comments below, tweet to me at @Atulmaharaj, DM on Instagram, or Get In Touch.