Roland garros

The French Open, officially known as Roland-Garros, is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and takes place annually at Stade Roland Garros in Paris. Held each year from late May into June, it is the only Grand Slam still played on clay courts, making it one of the most physically demanding competitions in professional tennis. The tournament is named after French aviator Roland Garros and is widely recognised for its long rallies, endurance-testing matches and rich sporting heritage.

First established in 1891 as the French Championships, the tournament was originally restricted to members of French tennis clubs before opening to international amateur players in 1925, when it gained Grand Slam status. Since 1928, the event has been staged at Roland Garros in Paris following France’s Davis Cup success led by the famous ‘Four Musketeers’ — René Lacoste, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet and Jacques Brugnon. The tournament also played a major role in tennis history by becoming the first Grand Slam to allow professional players to compete alongside amateurs in 1968, marking the beginning of the Open Era.

Over the decades, the French Open has continued to evolve while maintaining its iconic identity. Equal prize money for men and women was introduced in 2007, and a final-set tie-break format was adopted in 2022 to align with the other Grand Slams. The tournament remains one of the most prestigious events in world sport, attracting the biggest names in tennis and millions of viewers globally. Known for its unique atmosphere, historic clay courts and legendary champions, Roland-Garros continues to be a defining event on the international sporting calendar.

The French Open takes place at Stade Roland Garros in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, France, and is easily accessible by public transport, taxi or car. The simplest way to reach the tournament is via the Paris Métro, with the closest stations being Porte d’Auteuil (Line 10), Michel-Ange Auteuil (Lines 9 and 10) and Michel-Ange Molitor (Lines 9 and 10). Shuttle buses and local bus routes also operate throughout the tournament, helping visitors travel conveniently around the city and to the venue.

For international visitors, Paris is served by two major airports — Charles de Gaulle and Orly — both offering direct rail, taxi and shuttle connections into central Paris. From London, travellers can reach Paris quickly via the Eurostar train from St Pancras International, arriving at Gare du Nord before connecting to the Métro network. Many fans also choose to stay in central Paris and travel to Roland Garros daily using public transport due to the city’s excellent transport links.

Visitors attending the French Open are advised to arrive early, especially on popular match days, as security checks and queues can be busy. Booking accommodation and transport in advance is highly recommended during the tournament period, as demand across Paris increases significantly. Whether travelling by train, plane or underground, getting to Roland Garros is straightforward and forms part of the excitement of experiencing one of the world’s most iconic tennis events.

Travel to France from the UK. please see the FCO.gov page for France

CITY TAX

From 1 January 2026, Paris city tax (taxe de séjour) is a mandatory charge for all visitors aged 18 and over staying in hotels and tourist accommodation across the city.

The fee is charged per person, per night, with rates varying depending on the hotel’s star rating.

The 2026 increase was introduced to help fund public transport improvements across Greater Paris.

Approximate 2026 tourist tax rates:

Palace hotels: around €15.93 per night

5-star hotels: around €10.73–€11.38 per night

4-star hotels: around €8.13–€8.45 per night

3-star hotels: around €5.20–€5.53 per night

1–2 star hotels and hostels: around €2.60–€3.25 per night

Unclassified accommodation: 5% of the nightly stay cost, capped at €15.93

The tax is usually paid directly to the hotel at check-out and may not be included in online booking prices.

Guests under the age of 18 are exempt from paying the tourist tax.

The rates include the additional ‘Grand Paris’ regional surcharge introduced to support transport infrastructure projects.

Different tourist tax rates may apply to hotels within the Disneyland Paris resort area.