Roland-Garros Stadium Backstage Guided Tour Paris

Roland-Garros Stadium in the Bois de Boulogne

Roland-Garros lies on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, in the 16th arrondissement. It was built in 1928 so that the Four Musketeers of French tennis, Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste, could defend the Davis Cup, and it is named after Roland Garros, a pioneering French pilot. Today it hosts the French Open every year in late May and early June. A Roland-Garros tour is one of the best things to do in Paris for anyone who enjoys sport.

The guided visit is in English and lasts about an hour and a half. It starts at the stadium entrance on Avenue Gordon Bennett. To reach it, take metro line 10 to Porte d'Auteuil or line 9 to Porte de Saint-Cloud and walk about ten minutes, or use one of the local buses. Because of the stadium's activities, some areas may not be accessible on the day of your visit.

Court Philippe-Chatrier and Its Retractable Roof

The main stadium, named after the former president of the French Tennis Federation, is the heart of the tour. Its recent renovation added a retractable roof, a technical and architectural achievement that lets matches continue in rain and gives evening sessions a new atmosphere. Your guide explains how the roof works, how the court was redesigned and why it matters to the tournament.

From the stands you have an unobstructed view of the clay, the surrounding courts and the Paris skyline beyond the trees. Sitting in the seats where thousands of fans watch the final is the best way to feel the scale of the venue. Many visitors search for a Roland-Garros stadium tour to see exactly this: the centre court that has hosted decades of history.

Behind the Scenes: The Players' Corridor and the Tribune

The most exciting part of the visit is the access to private areas. You follow the corridor that leads players to the clay court, a route that is normally reserved for competitors, and you can see the presidential tribune and other spaces the public rarely visits. The guide adds anecdotes that give the places a human dimension.

Walking where champions walk before a Grand Slam final gives a real sense of the nerves and expectation. A behind the scenes tour of Roland-Garros is also a great introduction to how a major tournament is run, from the courts to the logistics. Bring your camera or phone, as photos are usually welcome in the areas the guide shows.

Champions, Legends and Clay Court History

The tour is also a journey through tennis history. The guide talks about the Four Musketeers, who dominated the sport in the 1920s and 1930s, and about the great winners who followed, such as Björn Borg, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf. You also hear about Rafael Nadal, whose long run of victories on the red clay made him the tournament's most successful player.

The red clay itself is part of the story. It is made from crushed brick over several layers, and it slows the ball and rewards patience, which is why the tournament is often described as the toughest test in tennis. The best time to visit Roland-Garros for a tour is outside the tournament fortnight, when the guided visits run and the site is quieter.