In May and June, a small part of the 16th arrondissement is all about tennis. Roland Garros attracts thousands of visitors to Paris every year, and of course most people come for the matches, the clay courts and the atmosphere of one of the most famous tennis tournaments in the world. But even if you are not a die-hard tennis fan, Roland Garros is a great reason to discover a very different side of Paris.
The stadium is not located in the classic Paris of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and Montmartre, but on the western edge of the city. You will find Roland Garros near Porte d’Auteuil, close to the Bois de Boulogne, the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, the famous Molitor swimming pool and hotel, and the elegant residential streets toward Boulogne-Billancourt. That combination is exactly what makes this area so interesting.
You may come for the tennis, but along the way you will discover a part of Paris that many visitors skip. In this article, we will tell you more about Roland Garros itself and the best things to see near Roland Garros in Paris.
Where Is Roland Garros in Paris?
Roland Garros is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, near Porte d’Auteuil. This is a quiet, green and fairly upscale part of the city. You are close to the Bois de Boulogne, one of the largest green spaces in Paris, and not far from Boulogne-Billancourt, an independent city just outside Paris.
If you are visiting Roland Garros for the first time, you will quickly notice that this is not a typical stadium area. The stadium is not set on a huge empty plot next to a highway, but surrounded by broad avenues, greenery, villas, sports facilities and remarkable buildings. In a way, that feels very Parisian: even a sports venue often comes with its own story here.
The easiest way to get to Roland Garros is by metro. The best-known nearby station is Porte d’Auteuil. During the tournament, keep in mind that it can get busy around the entrances, especially before and after the matches.
Roland Garros 2026: Dates and Atmosphere
Roland Garros 2026 takes place from May 24 through June 7, 2026. The qualifying rounds start the week before. For Paris, this is a special time of year. The city is usually fully in spring mode by then, the terraces are lively, the parks are beautifully green and the area around Porte d’Auteuil has an international buzz.
Roland Garros is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments and is especially famous for its clay courts. That gives the tournament a character of its own. The red courts, the often long rallies and the Parisian setting make it feel very different from Wimbledon, the Australian Open or the US Open.
If you are going to Roland Garros, it is smart to plan your visit well. During the tournament, the metro and the area around the stadium can get crowded. It is better to arrive a little early than exactly on time, especially if you still need to figure out where to enter.
Roland Garros 2026 Prize Money
For Roland Garros 2026, the prize money has been increased again. The men’s and women’s singles champions are expected to receive 2.8 million euros in 2026. The runner-up receives 1.4 million euros, and players who reach the first round of the main draw receive 87,000 euros.
The total prize money for Roland Garros 2026 is more than 61 million euros. Impressive numbers, of course, but for most visitors the real reason to go is the experience: walking into the stadium, seeing the clay courts, soaking up the atmosphere and maybe watching one of the world’s best players in action.
What Else Can You Do Near Roland Garros?
If you are visiting Roland Garros, you can easily combine your tennis day with a few interesting places nearby. This is especially useful if you are only going to the tournament for half a day, or if you have some time before or after a match. Of course, you can also head back into central Paris, but in this article we focus on sights and places to visit near Roland Garros itself.
Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil: A Green Surprise Next to Roland Garros
One of the most beautiful places close to Roland Garros is the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil. This botanical garden is located right next to the tennis complex and is a wonderful place to escape the crowds for a while. You will find historic greenhouses, exotic plants, palm trees and peaceful walking paths.
What makes it even more special is that Court Simonne-Mathieu, one of the Roland Garros courts, has been integrated into the setting of the greenhouses. Here, tennis and botanical garden literally come together. Even if you are not attending a match, the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil is worth a visit. It is one of those places that reminds you how much hidden greenery Paris has.
Bois de Boulogne: A Breath of Fresh Air Near the Stadium
From Roland Garros, you can also easily walk toward the Bois de Boulogne. This large park on the western side of Paris is perfect if you want to take a walk after a match, or if you prefer to do something quiet before the crowds around the stadium build up.
The Bois de Boulogne is huge and has lakes, walking paths, sports fields and plenty of greenery. You do not have to explore the entire park, but it is good to know that nature is just around the corner from Roland Garros. On a warm day, this can be a very pleasant contrast to the busy tournament atmosphere.
Molitor: Famous Swimming Pool, Special Hotel and Very Close to Roland Garros
Close to Roland Garros, you will also find Molitor, one of the most remarkable addresses in this neighborhood. Piscine Molitor was once a legendary public swimming pool in Paris. It opened in 1929, later fell into decline and was eventually redeveloped as a luxury hotel with both an indoor and outdoor pool.
The building is best known for its striking swimming pools, art deco style and unusual history. The bikini also has a place in the story of Molitor: in 1946, the modern bikini was presented to the public at Piscine Molitor.
Today, Molitor is a five-star hotel. You can stay here, eat here or have a drink, but swimming is a different story. The pool is not simply a public swimming pool where you can buy a day ticket. Hotel guests have access to the pools during their stay, but for non-hotel guests access is limited and depends on packages, spa appointments or membership. That makes Molitor special, but also exclusive and expensive.
There are several luxury restaurants with views of the iconic pool. View the restaurants at Hotel Molitor here.
I stayed at Hotel Molitor in Paris for two nights myself and wrote a separate blog about the experience. So yes, I did swim here several times, in winter, in the outdoor pool. The indoor pool is beautiful too. It is a great place for swimming laps. If you are considering booking a stay here, it is worth checking in advance which pool access is included with your reservation and from what time you can use it.
Parc des Princes and the Sporty Side of Paris
Roland Garros is also close to Parc des Princes, the stadium of Paris Saint-Germain. Together with Stade Jean-Bouin and other sports venues, this part of the 16th arrondissement forms a real sports district in Paris.
That makes the neighborhood interesting, even if you are not only coming for tennis. You see a side of Paris that is less romantic and less classic, but very recognizable for sports lovers. In a relatively small area, you will find tennis, soccer, rugby, swimming and major events all close together.
Walk to Boulogne-Billancourt and the Villas of Avenue Robert Schuman
Here is a fun and lesser-known tip if you are near Roland Garros: walk toward Boulogne-Billancourt. From the stadium, you can leave Paris in about ten minutes, although in practice you hardly notice it. Boulogne-Billancourt borders Paris directly and, in this area, feels like a quiet, green continuation of the 16th arrondissement.
About 1.5 kilometers from Roland Garros, you will also find a pleasant covered shopping center called Passages, with mostly smaller shops. It is convenient if the weather is not great or if you have some time left for shopping. You will also find several restaurants in front of the shopping center. Here, you really mix with the locals, and it is much less touristy. We actually like that a lot.
For fans of the well-known French real estate family Kretz, known from the Netflix series The Parisian Agency, Avenue Robert Schuman is extra fun to see. You will find this street about a 10-minute walk from Roland Garros in Boulogne-Billancourt. The family is connected to this street. Different house numbers are mentioned online, but the street itself is definitely worth walking through.
You will find large villas, high walls, gates, lots of greenery and an atmosphere that feels very different from the busy center of Paris. One striking detail is a modern white villa that almost looks like an art object among the other houses. It is not a tourist attraction, and that is exactly why it is interesting if you enjoy unusual residential streets, architecture and hidden corners around Paris.
Fondation Louis Vuitton: Modern Architecture and Art in the Bois de Boulogne
If you have a little more time around your visit to Roland Garros, you can also include Fondation Louis Vuitton in your plans. This remarkable museum is located on the other side of the Bois de Boulogne and is best known for its spectacular building by architect Frank Gehry. From Roland Garros, it is not exactly next door, but if you enjoy walking, the route of a little over 4 kilometers through the Bois de Boulogne to this special museum is a lovely option. Public transportation is a bit less direct because of the park, but it is possible. By taxi, it takes about 10 minutes.
Fondation Louis Vuitton is interesting for anyone who loves modern art, architecture and unusual museums in Paris. In addition to its striking architecture, the museum is known for its temporary exhibitions. Sometimes there is a transition period when one exhibition is being replaced by the next. During that time, you can often visit Fondation Louis Vuitton at a reduced rate. It is still worth it. Along the way, you also get to see another side of the city: greener, more spacious and less touristy than the center.
Combining Roland Garros With a Paris City Trip
Roland Garros is a wonderful reason to visit Paris in spring or early June. You can combine the atmosphere of a major international sporting event with everything that makes Paris so appealing: good restaurants, beautiful parks, interesting neighborhoods and, of course, the famous landmarks.
If you want to stay close to the stadium, you can choose a hotel in the 16th arrondissement or around Boulogne-Billancourt. If you prefer to stay in the more classic heart of Paris, that works too. You can easily travel to Roland Garros by metro.
What I like about Roland Garros is that the tournament brings you to a part of Paris you might not otherwise visit. And that is exactly what keeps Paris interesting every single time. You think you know the city, and then a tennis tournament suddenly leads you to a completely different side of it.