Albert Burke tennis player portrait Roland Garros Paris 1930

Stade Roland Garros

Stade Roland Garros Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Travel Guide: Paris Historical Site

Date: 03/07/2025

Introduction to Stade Roland Garros and its Significance

Located in Paris’s elegant 16th arrondissement, adjacent to the lush Bois de Boulogne, Stade Roland Garros is a beacon of French sporting tradition and international tennis excellence. Since its inauguration in 1928, the stadium has been synonymous with the French Open—the only Grand Slam played on red clay, demanding supreme endurance, tactical prowess, and finesse from the world’s elite players. The venue honors Roland Garros, the pioneering aviator and World War I hero, and fuses historic legacy with modern architecture, most notably the retractable roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier—a nod to Garros’s aviation achievements.

As both a world-class sports arena and a cultural landmark, Stade Roland Garros embodies French pride, innovation, and resilience. Visitors can experience electrifying tennis, captivating history, and the tranquil beauty of botanical gardens near Court Simonne-Mathieu. Whether attending the French Open in late May to early June or exploring via guided tours in the off-season, guests enjoy a unique blend of athletic spectacle, architecture, and Parisian charm (parisdigest.com; tennisgrandstand.com; mysportstourist.com).

Karel Koželuh portrait at Stade Roland-Garros tennis tournament, 1930

Vintage black and white portrait of tennis player Martin Plâa at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, 1930

Historic tennis players at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris 1930

Portrait of tennis player Karel Koželuh at Stade Roland Garros in Paris during 1930 tennis tournament

Karel Koželuh playing tennis at Stade Roland Garros in Paris on June 18, 1930 during a professional championship tournament

Vintage black and white photo of Harald Richter at Roland Garros Tennis Stadium in Paris, 1930

Vintage tennis players at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris during the 1930 French tennis tournament

Historic tennis players at Stade Roland-Garros Paris 1930

Historical black and white group portrait of tennis players at Stade Roland-Garros Paris 1930

Black and white historic photo of tennis players Karel Koželuh and Roman Najuch at Stade Roland-Garros Paris in 1930

Group portrait of tennis players at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris on June 18, 1930, featuring Roman Najuch

Black and white photograph of tennis players Martin Plâa and Alfred Estrabeau at Stade Roland-Garros, Paris, 1930

Martin Plâa and Wissault tennis players at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, 1930 French professional tennis championship

Historical black and white photograph of tennis players Richter and Wissault at Stade Roland-Garros, Paris, June 18, 1930

Historical tennis players from France and England at Roland Garros stadium Paris 1930

Vintage group portrait of tennis players at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, 1930

Historical black and white photograph of professional tennis players at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, taken on June 18, 1930 during the French professional tennis championships, featuring Irish and French players in a group portrait.

Portrait of tennis player Karel Koželuh at Roland Garros Stade in Paris, 18 June 1930

Portrait of Simonne Mathieu, French tennis player, at Stade Roland-Garros, Paris in 1930

Daniel Prenn portrait at Stade Roland-Garros during the Internationaux de France tennis tournament, Paris 1930

Takeichi Harada Japanese tennis player portrait at Roland-Garros French Open

Vintage photo of tennis players Hugues Patrick and Harry Lee at Stade Roland-Garros during the French Tennis Championships in Paris

Historical black and white photo of Heinrich Kleinschroth and Daniel Prenn at Roland-Garros tennis stadium in Paris, 1930

Portrait of tennis players Helen Wills and Elisabeth Montague Ryan at Stade Roland-Garros, Paris, 1930 French International Championships

Black and white group portrait of tennis players Irmgard Rost and Cilly Aussem at Stade Roland-Garros during the French International Tennis Championships in 1930

Historical black and white photograph of four female tennis players Claude-Anet, Josane Sigart, Nanette Le Besnerais, and Helen Hull Jacobs at Stade Roland-Garros during the French Internationaux tournament in Paris, circa 1930

Group portraits of Miki Tatsuyoshi and Satoh Hyotare at Roland-Garros tennis stadium in Paris during the French Open 1930

Japanese tennis player Ryosuke Nunoi playing a match at Stade Roland-Garros, Paris, June 18, 1933

Tennis match at Stade Roland-Garros between Japanese player Jirō Satō and Australian player Vivian McGrath on June 19, 1933

Portrait of Martin Plâa at Stade Roland-Garros Paris 1930

Albert Burke playing tennis at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris during the 1930 French Professional Tennis Championships

Karel Koželuh playing tennis at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris in 1930

Karel Koželuh playing tennis at Stade Roland-Garros Paris 1930

Karel Koželuh playing tennis at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, France during the 1930 French professional tennis championships

Historic tennis match at Stade Roland-Garros with player Plâa Martin, June 22, 1930

Roman Najuch playing tennis at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, 1930

Mixed doubles tennis match at 1913 World Hardcourt Championships Paris

Portrait of tennis players André Merlin and Henry Wilfred Austin after the 1933 tennis match between Great Britain and France at Roland-Garros stadium in Paris

Frederick John Perry and Christian Boussus tennis players at Roland-Garros stadium Paris 1933

Frederick John Perry playing tennis in a match between Great Britain and France at Roland-Garros stadium in Paris in 1933

Historic tennis match at Roland-Garros stadium in Paris featuring British players in 1933

Bernard Marcel playing tennis at Roland-Garros stadium in Paris during the 1933 France vs Great Britain match

Tennis match at Stade Roland-Garros Paris 1933 featuring French player Christian Boussus

View of the supplementary tennis courts from the Suzanne Lenglen stadium at the 2017 Roland Garros Qualifying Tournament

View of the Roland Garros qualifying courts from Suzanne Lenglen stadium

View of the outer courts at the 2017 Roland Garros Qualifying Tournament from Suzanne Lenglen Stadium

Ellsworth Vines playing tennis at Stade Roland-Garros during the 1933 Davis Cup in Paris

Ellsworth Vines and Fred Austin playing tennis at Coupe Davis 1933 Roland Garros Paris

Vintage black and white photograph of tennis players Henri Cochet and Henry Wilfred Austin at Stade Roland-Garros during the 1931 Davis Cup in Paris

Introduction
Origins and Early Development
Naming and Symbolism
Architectural Evolution and Expansion
Sporting Significance and Iconic Moments
Visiting Stade Roland Garros: Hours, Tickets & Travel Tips
Visual Highlights
FAQ: Stade Roland Garros Visitor Information
Role in Parisian and French Identity
Conclusion and Recommendations
References

Origins and Early Development

Stade Roland Garros’s history is tightly woven into the fabric of French tennis. The French Open’s roots go back to 1891 with the “French Clay-Court Championships,” initially exclusive to French club members (tennisticketservice.com). The tournament became truly international in 1925, welcoming foreign competitors.

Following France’s triumph in the 1927 Davis Cup, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) needed a world-class venue to defend its title. Architect Louis Faure-Dujarric led a rapid construction effort, and the stadium opened in May 1928, situated on the city’s western edge by the Bois de Boulogne (parisdigest.com).

Naming and Symbolism

Unusually, the stadium honors not a tennis star but Roland Garros, a French aviation pioneer who made historic flights and served heroically in World War I before his death in 1918 (tennisgrandstand.com). This naming choice underscores values of courage and innovation. Modern architectural features—such as the Philippe-Chatrier court’s retractable roof—echo Garros’s connection to flight, with design elements reminiscent of airplane wings (parisdigest.com).

Architectural Evolution and Expansion

Roland Garros has continually evolved:

Court Philippe-Chatrier: The centerpiece, seating 15,000, now features a retractable roof, allowing for uninterrupted play and night sessions (parisdigest.com).
Court Suzanne-Lenglen: Opened in 1994, accommodating over 10,000 fans.
Court Simonne-Mathieu: Opened in 2019, set within the botanical gardens, blending modernity with greenery (parisdigest.com).
Place des Mousquetaires: A social hub adorned with statues and plant life (tenniseventguide.com).

The site now comprises 18 clay courts over 21 acres, establishing it as one of the sport’s premier venues (tennisnerd.net).

Sporting Significance and Iconic Moments

Roland Garros is the beating heart of the French Open, defined by its unique clay surface and legendary champions:

Iconic Champions: Rafael Nadal’s 14 men’s singles titles, Chris Evert’s seven, and the recent marathon 2025 final featuring Carlos Alcaraz (wikipedia.org).
Milestones: Farewells to legends like Richard Gasquet and celebrations of historic wins (wikipedia.org).
Davis Cup Heritage: The stadium’s legacy began with the legendary “Four Musketeers”—Borotra, Brugnon, Cochet, and Lacoste (parisdigest.com).

Visiting Stade Roland Garros: Hours, Tickets & Travel Tips

Visiting Hours

During the French Open: Open daily from around 11:00 AM, closing 30 minutes after the final match. Check the official Roland Garros website for updates.
Off-Season: Guided tours and the Tenniseum museum are typically open 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but hours may vary.

Tickets

French Open: Tickets are sold via the official website and authorized vendors. Due to demand, early booking is crucial. Options include stadium seats, grounds passes, and hospitality packages.
Guided Tours: Available year-round except during the tournament. Book in advance, as spots fill quickly.

Accessibility

The stadium is fully accessible, with wheelchair access, adapted restrooms, and assistance on request. Public transport options make arrival straightforward.

Getting There

Metro: Line 10 (Porte d’Auteuil or Boulogne – Jean-Jaurès) and Line 9 (Michel-Ange Auteuil).
Bus: Multiple lines serve the area.
Bike: Vélib’ stations and bike lanes.
Parking: Limited, with shuttle services from designated lots.

Best Times to Visit

Tournament Period: Bustling atmosphere but crowded.
Off-Season: Guided tours allow for relaxed exploration.

Nearby Attractions

Combine your visit with the Bois de Boulogne, Serres d’Auteuil botanical gardens, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and the vibrant local café scene (visitparisregion.com).

Guided Tours and Special Events

Guided tours take you behind the scenes—press rooms, locker areas, and the presidential tribune—and include access to the Tenniseum, which showcases the tournament’s history through multimedia and memorabilia (franceguide.info).

Visual Highlights

These images capture the stadium’s unique blend of sport, architecture, and nature.

FAQ: Stade Roland Garros Visitor Information

When is Stade Roland Garros open to visitors?
Primarily during the French Open and via guided tours in the off-season. Check official schedules.

How can I buy tickets for Roland Garros?
Via the official website or authorized sellers. Early booking is strongly recommended.

Is the stadium wheelchair accessible?
Yes, with dedicated facilities and support services.

What’s the best way to get there?
Metro lines 9 and 10, bus, cycling, or taxi.

Are guided tours available?
Yes, outside the tournament period.

Can I bring large bags?
No, only small bags are allowed. Lockers are available.

Role in Parisian and French Identity

Roland Garros is more than a stadium; it’s a cultural icon. It embodies French resilience, tradition, and a spirit that blends sport with art and innovation. Each spring, as the French Open unfolds, the stadium becomes a global stage, reinforcing Paris’s status as a capital of both sport and culture (francechannel.tv).

Conclusion and Recommendations

Stade Roland Garros offers visitors a compelling intersection of sport, history, and Parisian lifestyle. Whether attending the French Open, taking a guided tour, or exploring surrounding attractions, the experience is memorable and immersive. For up-to-date information on visiting hours, tickets, and special events, consult the official Roland Garros website and consider using the Audiala app for exclusive tips and real-time updates.