14 Days in Paris: The French Open 2025
When the world’s greatest tennis players gather in Paris for the French Open (May 19 to June 8), the drama that unfolds on the famed clay courts of Roland Garros is only part of the fun. With a reputation as the most stylish event in the tennis calendar, the French Open is a place where celebrities and civilians alike bring their sartorial A-game, making the people-watching in the stands almost as compelling as the games themselves. And as ever, the city provides plenty to see, do and eat between matches.
The Tournament
The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros (the name of the stadium where it’s played), is one of four Grand Slams in the professional tennis calendar and the only one played on clay courts. In contrast to asphalt and grass courts used at the other Opens, the slow speed and high bounce of clay leads to longer matches, requiring more endurance from players. It also requires a more tactical style of play that can be thrilling to watch. The undisputed king of this style of play is Rafael Nadal, who achieved an incredible 14 French Open titles before retiring last year.
This Year’s Event
Nadal’s retirement has created room for new talent at the French Open and the competition for the event’s €2,550,000 singles prize will be intense. On the men’s side, all eyes will be on last year’s champion, Carlos Alcaraz, to defend his title against top-ranked players including Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud and three-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic. On the women’s side, defending three-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek is set to take on the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. Canadians in the crowd, meanwhile, will be rooting for Félix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez, the two highest-ranked Canadians in professional tennis.
On the ground at Roland-Garros
Stade Roland tennis venue complex. (AdobeStock)
On the ground at Roland-Garros
View at the central court of Philippe Chatrier at Roland-Garros. (AdobeStock)
On the ground at Roland-Garros
The slow speed and high bounce of clay leads to longer matches. (AdobeStock)
On the ground at Roland-Garros
Overlooking the courts. (Fédération Française de Tennis)
On the ground at Roland-Garros
The main court at night. (Fédération Française de Tennis)
On the ground at Roland-Garros
The stadium and environs. (Fédération Française de Tennis)
Watch in Style
At Roland-Garros, watching the match is only part of the experience. For discerning guests, the tournament offers a range of VIP packages that pair exceptional court views with premium hospitality and behind-the-scenes access. Here’s how to elevate your visit:
The best seats in the house are the Loges Présidentielles, offering premium court positioning, plush seating and direct access to private lounges. Guests enjoy champagne service, gourmet menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs and dedicated hosts to manage every detail. These suites provide both exclusivity and discretion, ideal for high-profile guests.
For a more curated experience, Salon Privé hospitality includes access to a refined lounge space with private terraces, signature cocktails and themed culinary stations. L’Orangerie, located within the gardens of Roland-Garros, offers a relaxed and elegant setting to dine between matches, with menus crafted by renowned chefs and sommeliers.
Select packages include guided backstage tours that reveal the inner workings of the tournament — from player preparation areas to the press and media zones. Some also offer meet-and-greet opportunities with past champions and rising stars, as well as private photo sessions on the court after play has ended.
You can also avoid the crowds with VIP-only tournament entrances, valet parking and the option to arrive via private car service. Premium ticket holders can also arrange transfers via helicopter from central Paris, landing at the nearby heliport in Issy-les-Moulineaux with just a short drive to the stadium.
On the ground at Roland-Garros
Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek look to defend in 2025. (AdobeStock)
On the ground at Roland-Garros
An icon in tennis. (AdobeStock)
On the ground at Roland-Garros
Entry to the action. (AdobeStock)
On the ground at Roland-Garros
An oasis in the heart of the city. (Fédération Française de Tennis)
On the ground at Roland-Garros
An icon in tennis. (Fédération Française de Tennis)
Where To Stay
If you’re headed to Paris, you can take your pick of some of the best hotels in the world, from landmarks like The Ritz to contemporary hotspots like La Fantaisie. If it’s classic opulence you’re looking for — minus the selfie-taking tourists cramming the lobby — head for 1 Place Vendôme, a boutique hotel situated at one of the city’s most prestigious addresses. Owned by the Scheufele family (better known as the owners of Swiss luxury watch brand Chopard), its 15 suites and rooms — including the palatial 18th-century Appartement Chopard — feature everything the discerning traveller could need, including a butler on call via WhatsApp. And if watch shopping is on the itinerary, the Chopard boutique is just downstairs.
Where To Eat & Drink
To experience Parisian dining at its most lively, plan for a night out in Belleville. This multicultural neighbourhood is home to artists, galleries and more than its share of destination bars and restaurants. Start your evening with snacks and drinks at Combat, one of the city’s most respected cocktail bistros, then head to Cheval d’Or to experience Filipino-Australian chef-owner Hanz Gueco’s French-Chinese fusion menu and a curated selection of biodynamic and natural wines. Closer to Roland-Garros, find a seat at Comice, a Michelin-starred destination co-owned by one of the city’s best sommeliers (who just happens to be a fellow Canadian).
Where To Recharge Between Matches
Escape the crowds with a treatment at Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, or unwind with a personalized cryotherapy session at Maison Lutétia. For a fitness fix, private yoga and Pilates instructors are available through Paris Personal Trainer, who can meet clients in-suite or in a quiet corner of the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Where To Shop
It would be easy to spend a week in Paris visiting the likes of Cifonelli, Charvet, Hermès, Berluti and similarly famous destinations, but there’s far more to the city’s fashion scene than these big names. At Chapal, a leather jacket specialist in business for nearly two centuries, you can choose from a selection of vintage-inspired outerwear or have something custom-made. And because you can’t show up for a match at Roland-Garros without a great pair of sunnies, swing by L’Ingénieur Chevallier to pick out something truly unique.
