French Open
Jun 17th, 2008, 08:42 PM
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French Open
I know it's a year away, but I am ready to book my flights (mileage) for the 2009 French Open soon and would like to know if anyone reading this has any insight, experience, information, opinions on where to stay, packages (if it makes sense over mileage), transportation, tickets (I believe it's somewhat like Wimbledon), etc. for hopeful first time attendees.
We're a couple plus a friend so perhaps an apartment would be best. What about a good neighborhood with good transportation to the event. We're on a budget ($200/night). Even if we don't get in the finals we're hoping to attend any games we can.
AND if there are any tennis fans out there, have you information on any of the other ATP games in Europe next year that you know are doable and worthwhile.
Thanks!
Sarah Marie
We're a couple plus a friend so perhaps an apartment would be best. What about a good neighborhood with good transportation to the event. We're on a budget ($200/night). Even if we don't get in the finals we're hoping to attend any games we can.
AND if there are any tennis fans out there, have you information on any of the other ATP games in Europe next year that you know are doable and worthwhile.
Thanks!
Sarah Marie
Jun 18th, 2008, 10:31 AM
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Keruac,
Thanks for the lowdown on the Bois de Boulogne. I googled it so now I understand your warning.
I;d rather stay in Paris proper anyway and would like to know if anyone knows of a good area with good access (metro/bus) to Roland Garros.
Ciao,
Sarah Marie
Thanks for the lowdown on the Bois de Boulogne. I googled it so now I understand your warning.
I;d rather stay in Paris proper anyway and would like to know if anyone knows of a good area with good access (metro/bus) to Roland Garros.
Ciao,
Sarah Marie
Jun 18th, 2008, 10:58 AM
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Although not our purpose for visiting Paris, my friends and I were there on this year's French Open finals.
We stayed at the Hotel Eiffel Rive Gauche and our closest metro was Ecole Militaire. It only took one change in the metro and we were at Roland Garros.
We did not have tickets and we just walked up to the ticket counter and bought our tickets for that day (Women's finals). The ticket was really for the match but also granted us access to the complex as soon as we bought it (10:30am). We were able to watch other games that day and got to watch Safina warming up in one of the outer courts.
In any case, the ticket cost 69 euros (way lower than I expected)and our seats were in the nosebleed section but it wasn't a bad place to be.
Told our friends when we got back last week and their comment was they paid way too much for theirs when they went 2 years ago I believe. They bought their tickets here in the US.
We stayed at the Hotel Eiffel Rive Gauche and our closest metro was Ecole Militaire. It only took one change in the metro and we were at Roland Garros.
We did not have tickets and we just walked up to the ticket counter and bought our tickets for that day (Women's finals). The ticket was really for the match but also granted us access to the complex as soon as we bought it (10:30am). We were able to watch other games that day and got to watch Safina warming up in one of the outer courts.
In any case, the ticket cost 69 euros (way lower than I expected)and our seats were in the nosebleed section but it wasn't a bad place to be.
Told our friends when we got back last week and their comment was they paid way too much for theirs when they went 2 years ago I believe. They bought their tickets here in the US.
Jun 18th, 2008, 11:05 AM
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Roland Garros is next to, but not in the Bois du Boulogne.
If you want to stay in Paris proper, try to stay somewhere close to a line 10 metro stop, that way you only take one train to get to the tennis complex which is at Porte de Auteil.
I went to the tournament in 2005. Back then tickets were much easier to get then at Wimbledon, although I think that has changed and they now have a lottery system, like Wimbledon (not sure about this). That being said, you can buy scalper's tickets outside for not much more than face value.
The tournament facility is not nearly as well planned as Wimbledon's. One day as I crossed the main plaza I ended up going in the direction the crowd shoved me in because it was so chaotic.
The food at the concession stands at RG is awful, (wimbledon's was actually okay), bring your own sandwiches when you go.
Never been to any ATP tournaments, but I've seen the location of the stadium in Umag, Croatia, and it's a dandy. I'd check that out if I was looking for tournaments.
If you want to stay in Paris proper, try to stay somewhere close to a line 10 metro stop, that way you only take one train to get to the tennis complex which is at Porte de Auteil.
I went to the tournament in 2005. Back then tickets were much easier to get then at Wimbledon, although I think that has changed and they now have a lottery system, like Wimbledon (not sure about this). That being said, you can buy scalper's tickets outside for not much more than face value.
The tournament facility is not nearly as well planned as Wimbledon's. One day as I crossed the main plaza I ended up going in the direction the crowd shoved me in because it was so chaotic.
The food at the concession stands at RG is awful, (wimbledon's was actually okay), bring your own sandwiches when you go.
Never been to any ATP tournaments, but I've seen the location of the stadium in Umag, Croatia, and it's a dandy. I'd check that out if I was looking for tournaments.
Jun 18th, 2008, 11:15 AM
#6
Oh, well, Londonlover, then it's obvious. Sarahmarie should clearly forget the French Open and go to Wimbledon instead. Roland Garros is poorly planned and has bad food.
And it has moved out of the Bois de Boulogne without telling me. Not a nice thing to do, that.
And it has moved out of the Bois de Boulogne without telling me. Not a nice thing to do, that.
Jun 18th, 2008, 11:23 AM
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We just returned from Paris and went to Roland Garros for the mens' final. We did not have tickets to the main court, but had tickets which got us in all outside courts and on court #1, they had put up a huge tv screen and broadcast the finals live. The tickets cost 15 euros and could be purchased through the french open website.
We stayed in the Marais area of Paris, near the Pompidou Center and it was an easy walk to pick up the metro line out to the stadium. Really, you can stay just about anywhere in Paris proper and hop on the metro to get you out to the stadium. The metro is very easy to figure out, it's really hard to mess it up! The #10 line takes you out to the general area and then it's about a 10 minute walk to the main gates.
An apartment is a great idea, ours was a one bedroom for 105 euro per night and suited our needs perfectly.
We stayed in the Marais area of Paris, near the Pompidou Center and it was an easy walk to pick up the metro line out to the stadium. Really, you can stay just about anywhere in Paris proper and hop on the metro to get you out to the stadium. The metro is very easy to figure out, it's really hard to mess it up! The #10 line takes you out to the general area and then it's about a 10 minute walk to the main gates.
An apartment is a great idea, ours was a one bedroom for 105 euro per night and suited our needs perfectly.
Jun 18th, 2008, 11:36 AM
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Actually I've stayed in the 16th, which is near BdB, and on line 10.
I know the 5th/6th are the most recommended, but the 16th is nice upscale area.
I'd say, in some ways, more preferable to the central locations. I've stayed central,so last trip was planned to be less
part of the crowds. Location was nice...two blocks from my hotel was Seine, with views of sparkling Eiffel...one block away was my morning cafe, and a Metro station. Walk to some decent restaurants.
Quieter, definitely less touristy...yet "only minutes away from it all".
I know the 5th/6th are the most recommended, but the 16th is nice upscale area.
I'd say, in some ways, more preferable to the central locations. I've stayed central,so last trip was planned to be less
part of the crowds. Location was nice...two blocks from my hotel was Seine, with views of sparkling Eiffel...one block away was my morning cafe, and a Metro station. Walk to some decent restaurants.
Quieter, definitely less touristy...yet "only minutes away from it all".
Jun 18th, 2008, 11:57 PM
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Thanks Camias, Londonlover, Moll Matt and Michel,. This was the information I was looking for--particularly what to expect and how it all operates. I needed experienced advice so I can begin my research and know going to the French Open is doable and worthwhile even if we don't get tickets to the finals.
My husband and I did this for Wimbledon in 2005. We loved walking the grounds and feeling the pulse of championship tennis even though we saw the finals on the big screen while sitting on the grass.
We've been to Paris a handful of times so this gives us something new to do while enjoying the most beautiful city in the world!
My husband and I did this for Wimbledon in 2005. We loved walking the grounds and feeling the pulse of championship tennis even though we saw the finals on the big screen while sitting on the grass.
We've been to Paris a handful of times so this gives us something new to do while enjoying the most beautiful city in the world!
Jan 27th, 2009, 06:38 AM
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Hello everyone,
Just found this discussion, know it’s a bit late
to answer but I thought my experience might still be useful.
I visited Roland Garros 2008. I had one ground pass for the second Wednesday, bought it online. And I bought another one the day before, on Tuesday - I arrived there at about 12am, there were almost no people at the ticket office. They had no ground passes for that day so I bought a ticket to Suzanne Lenglen court, saw three quarterfinals.
I stayed in a hotel not far from Grand Opera. It was not very convenient to get to the stadium by metro. So I went there by bus. There are two bus routes that depart from Opera (you can find other bus routes at Roland Garros web site). It took me about 40 minutes to get to the stadium in the morning and it was much faster at 9pm on the way back. Of course, it all depends on the traffic. Actually, it was my intention to get there by bus. First, it’s an alternative tour about the city. And second, you don’t have to change the line as it is if you travel by metro. The stadium is a 5 minute walk from the bus stop, and it’s really hard to go the wrong way since there are a lot of touts selling tickets to the event along the road.
Hope it helps those who are trying to arrange their trips.
Just found this discussion, know it’s a bit late
to answer but I thought my experience might still be useful.I visited Roland Garros 2008. I had one ground pass for the second Wednesday, bought it online. And I bought another one the day before, on Tuesday - I arrived there at about 12am, there were almost no people at the ticket office. They had no ground passes for that day so I bought a ticket to Suzanne Lenglen court, saw three quarterfinals.
I stayed in a hotel not far from Grand Opera. It was not very convenient to get to the stadium by metro. So I went there by bus. There are two bus routes that depart from Opera (you can find other bus routes at Roland Garros web site). It took me about 40 minutes to get to the stadium in the morning and it was much faster at 9pm on the way back. Of course, it all depends on the traffic. Actually, it was my intention to get there by bus. First, it’s an alternative tour about the city. And second, you don’t have to change the line as it is if you travel by metro. The stadium is a 5 minute walk from the bus stop, and it’s really hard to go the wrong way since there are a lot of touts selling tickets to the event along the road.
Hope it helps those who are trying to arrange their trips.
Mar 17th, 2009, 09:21 AM
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I missed the March 1st deadline to purchase tickets (kicking myself!) It looks like there are none left online.
We will be there May 29-June 2, which I guess will be sort of the midpoint of the French Open. If we take a bus out there one day, do you think we'd be able to get tickets same day? If so, how would we do that? We don't speak any French unfortunately.
We will be there May 29-June 2, which I guess will be sort of the midpoint of the French Open. If we take a bus out there one day, do you think we'd be able to get tickets same day? If so, how would we do that? We don't speak any French unfortunately.
Mar 23rd, 2009, 11:35 AM
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There will be people selling tickets on the street as you approach Roland Garros. To "legitmately" get a ticket the day of typically means standing in long lines without knowing if you will A) get a ticket to the court you want or B) if you will get in at all.
Mar 23rd, 2009, 01:55 PM
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jenblase,
We'll be in Paris May 28-June 3, and have decided against going to the French Open. However, we'd enjoy a Fodor's GTG. Any interest, jenblase? I know there's a large group meeting earlier in the month, but I've yet to see anything materialize for our dates, although I think I remember that flygirl is also in town at that time. I've never been to, let alone organized a GTG before. Anyway, let me know if you're interested. EJ
We'll be in Paris May 28-June 3, and have decided against going to the French Open. However, we'd enjoy a Fodor's GTG. Any interest, jenblase? I know there's a large group meeting earlier in the month, but I've yet to see anything materialize for our dates, although I think I remember that flygirl is also in town at that time. I've never been to, let alone organized a GTG before. Anyway, let me know if you're interested. EJ
Mar 26th, 2009, 01:36 PM
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Jennifer,
That's great news! Friday, Saturday or Sunday will work for us as well. Have you ever been to a Fodor's GTG? I suppose the best idea is to start a new post with GTG dates and open it up to others. I'm inclined to wait a couple of weeks before posting. What do you think? EJ
That's great news! Friday, Saturday or Sunday will work for us as well. Have you ever been to a Fodor's GTG? I suppose the best idea is to start a new post with GTG dates and open it up to others. I'm inclined to wait a couple of weeks before posting. What do you think? EJ
Apr 19th, 2009, 04:28 PM
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Hi Jennifer,
If you still have any interest in joining in a GTG in Paris, please let me know. Thanks, EJ
P.S. I tried sending you an email...did you receive it?
There's a thread under my name re: GTG details (or lack thereof, thus far).
If you still have any interest in joining in a GTG in Paris, please let me know. Thanks, EJ
P.S. I tried sending you an email...did you receive it?
There's a thread under my name re: GTG details (or lack thereof, thus far).
