The French Open is going to be going on while I am in Paris. I was wondering, although tickets are expensive, is it possible to just be in the area to get an idea of the atmoshpere of a major tennis event, and in what area is it located? Thank you!

Sam, I've just sent away for my ticket to the French Open. Tickets are not that expensive, less than the US Open. I think I paid about $35 for a ticket on the first Thursday. It's a pain in the neck to get a ticket because first you have to write them and ask for an application and when that comes, turn around and send it in with the money. But I'd rather do that than risk the possibility that there will be no tickets available when I get there. The website is www.frenchopen.org. Roland Garros is in the southern part of the Bois du Bologne, near a metro station.

the only thing on that web site is last years info?

Sam, we went last year and are applying tickets for this year. Roland Garros has this intimate atomsphere where other grand slams don't have. Like Ellen said, log on their website and get the address and write to them (yes, in English) for application form or fax them. You can't get ticket on-line that's for sure. <BR><BR>I am not too sure you can gain entrance to the ground on the day. I had to book my ground ticket last year. Just wandering around the stadium, I caught sights of a few tennis stars practising and got autographs from a few too. It's great! The catering facilities are better than most tennis events too.

Being a tennis fans, I try to visit all the playing ground of grand slam. I went to Roland Garrors last month. The stadium is not very close to the Metro and took 2 to 3 bus stop. It is also lack of directional signage. May be it will be better during the game season.

I will also be in Paris for the French Open. The concierge at my hotel is getting tickets for me. They will not be at face value, but will be much better seats than you can get through the mail. The better seats are already sold out, to federation tennis members. You may want to check with your hotel.

We're going to be in Paris on June 8th. Last year ended on Sunday the 10th, so should we assume that this year ends on Sunday the 9th? The website only indicates last year's dates.<BR><BR>Assuming it does, that means we'll be in town for the Women's finals. I'm assuming there's no way we could score a ticket, but am I wrong about that?

ttt

My parents and I once went and bought tickets from scalpers on the street about a block from the stadium. There were a lot of scalpers out there so we only paid the equivalent of just a few dollars more than face value. The seats were quite good. We were therer for the quarterfinals -- so it is probably quite a lot tougher to get tickets to the finals.

Question for Ellen, <BR><BR>I, too, sent away for tickets with my credit card # on the form. I know they received it on March 22, but I still have not been charged for tickets. When did you mail your form, and have you heard back yet? Thanks! Marla

x Lisa :<BR>Which is the Hotel that will take you the tickets ?<BR>Thanks.

I also sent away for tickets to the French Open for June 1 and received a letter back just three days ago stating they didn't have any more seats and returned my original request back to me. The thing is, I was very selective on which stadium I wanted (Chartier)and wouldn't deviate at all from that. I sent my request via two day mail and it took two weeks for me to get my response. Once I received my letter, I called to see if maybe someone had sent tickets back for a refund that I can then purchase. I was instructed to call back within two to three weeks. They would have a better idea by then.

I requested a ticket for May 30 and although I asked for Chartrier, I said I'd take what was available. That was about 2 1/2 weeks ago. They said that tickets wouldn't be mailed until the end of April. I haven't heard anything yet.

To Mark & Ellen: <BR><BR>I feel a little better now. I requested tickets for the first 2 days of the tournament and was very open with seating. I figured they were so cheap, that if I got lucky on the day I went down there, I would just purchase tickets to the other stadiums depending on the schedule of play..(that is, if they were available). I didn't enclose a check, but instead wrote down my CC#. I was worried that I wrote the # down wrong, and they wouldn't contact me. But now, after reading your messages, I'll give them until the end of April until I call. I'll keep you updated on my request on this thread. Also, from what I read, purchasing tickets for the French from scalpers is a bit risky. Supposedly, names are written on the tickets and it must match your identification? Also, I have seen people turned away at the US Open, because the tickets were fake. So be careful if you go that route...<BR><BR>M

Marla-<BR><BR>Thanks for the info about the French scalpers. I'm wondering though if there might be some legit tickets out there. The reason I'm wondering is that I believe tickets went on sale from mid November until mid February for French nationals. If this is the case, I'm sure the names are printed on their tickets as well as those sold to foreigners. I'm hoping that I can call and get some that someone has turned in because they can't go and have sent back for reimbursement. I assumed the Chartier court would have the bigger names in tennis, that's why I opted for that. Maybe I shouldn't have been so selective.

We were in Paris a couple of years ago during the Open, and our adult children just HAD to see it! They caught the Metro to Roland Garros one day and had no trouble purchasing tickets for the next day. However, this was for one of the first days, not for the finals.

Exactly what is the schedule for the French Open. I will be in Paris May 25 through 28 and was wondering if the Open would be going on at that time.

Could you tell me which arrondissement Roland Garros is located in? I will be going there in September for the Davis Cup tie and wanted to stay either in the area or not too far away that I could take a reasonable priced cab ride. Thanks!

Gail, no doubt someone will correct me but I think Roland Garros is just to the left (on a map) of the 16th arrondissement, in the Bois de Boulogne.

ttt