4 Days in Paris for Roland Garros

To overcome the inevitable jet lag, I recommend easing into vacation with a casual neighborhood walk and leisurely breakfast on the first morning. Few things in life can beat sitting at a sidewalk cafe with a French pastry and espresso on a summer morning.

After a light breakfast you can explore the 18th Arrondissement, where the quaint Montmartre neighborhood is located. I suggest leisurely wandering around the cobblestone streets, and ending at the top of the hill at the famous Sacré-Coeur Basilica. After all of those hills and stairs you will have probably worked up an appetite. Cafe Le Nazir is a perfect pit stop for a glass of rosé, salmon tartare, and pommes frites. After lunch you can check out the rooftop at the Terrass Hotel and sip on a beverage while admiring the incredible view of the city from above.

Next up, off to the 9th Arr. Here you can visit Galeries Lafayette (a century-old luxury department store featuring a stunning one-of-a-kind steel-framed art nouveau glass dome) and the Palais Garnier (the primary theater of the Paris Opera that opened back in 1875). Finally, you can finish your afternoon in the 2nd Arr. by treating yourself to freshly-made crepes or macarons (Chocolat Foucher is always a great choice) while you sit and relax in the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries.

After cleaning up back at your accommodations, I suggest a 9:00pm dinner at Chez Georges, a classic French bistro in the 2nd Arr. To end the evening, venture over to the Jardins du Trocadéro to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at 11:00 pm or Midnight.

Insider Tip: I recommend using Paris’ amazing Metro system (it’s clean, safe, affordable and easy to navigate) to travel across Arrondissements and then explore pockets by foot. Purchase a multi-day transit pass for even more cost savings while you roam around the city.

To start the day, I suggest grabbing an authentic French pastry at Le Boulanger De La Tour and strolling down Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The Latin Quarter (or 5th Arr.) is the oldest district in Paris and was built by the Romans. Along this main street, you will come across many famous cafes such as Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. Personally, I didn’t find the quality and prices worth the lines and would not visit them again. You can find better options by wandering around and doing a quick Yelp search if you stumble upon a place that piques your interest. If you have time you can pay a visit to the historic Panthéon, built in 1790, which over the years shifted from being a church to a place of rest with the political changes after the French Revolution.

Next up I recommend visiting Le Jardin du Luxembourg and the Palace close by in the 5th Arr. They were built back in 1612 as the new residence of Marie de' Medici, the widow of King Henry IV. It is a beautiful property with a geometric forest, large pond, orchard, greenhouses, statues and fountains. You can spend an hour or two wandering the gardens and stop to admire the Palace, where the French Senate currently meets.

To wrap up the afternoon you can head across the Seine river to the 8th Arr. to visit the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées. I suggest beginning your stroll at the Jardins des Champs-Élysées and ending at the Arc de Triomphe. Along this Parisian staple you will find renowned French designer shopping, theatres, dining and plenty of people-watching opportunities.

For dinner I suggest heading over to Le Caveau de L’Isle, a charming brasserie on Île Saint-Louis (a tiny, quaint island near Notre Dame). There are only enough tables to seat about 20 people, and it feels very warm and homey. Excellent service and hospitality. If you eat meat I highly recommend ordering the duck breast, it was exquisite. After a fantastic meal you can stroll and have a night cap along the Seine for sunset (around 10:15 pm in early June!) - a quintessential summer night.

Whether you’re a die-hard tennis fan or someone who enjoys people watching with a glass of champagne in hand, Roland Garros has something for everyone.

Take the (9) Metro to the Michele-Ange stop and follow the crowds on a 10-minute walk to the venue grounds. On the way, you can stop at Monsieur Fernand, a boulangerie/pâtisserie, to grab a fresh pastry.

If you can, I recommend splurging on a premium experience. “The Discovery Offer” includes a dedicated VIP entrance, tickets to both Day & Night session matches on Court Philippe-Chatrier, along with access to a private lounge and terrace that serves lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, champagne and wine and dessert. My review: it did not disappoint. I’m not sure if I enjoyed the tennis, the food or the Moët & Chandon bar the most.

Insider Tip: Download the RG App to familiarize yourself with the grounds before your trip. Not only will it come in handy to know where all of the necessities are, but most importantly, you will be able to track the match schedule and court assignments in real-time. With a little planning, and brisk walking around the venue, I could see some of the top players practice and play matches on the smaller outside courts (first row to watch Americans Coco Gauff & Jessie Pegula? Check). It is incredible to watch these athletes up close and personal.

There is so much to experience throughout the RG complex with single match tickets or grounds passes. Some of my personal favorites included: fun sponsor activations like Lavazza latte art, Moët & Chandon carts, Perrier bars, lush terraces and lots of photo opportunities. There is also no shortage of incredible and affordable dining options - a Michelin-starred chef restaurant, markets and crepe stands to name a few. What’s not to love?

Insider Tip: Stop by the Official RG Boutique towards the end of the evening session for your souvenirs. There were incredibly long lines during the day, however I walked right in around 10pm on my way out of the complex and practically had the place to myself to shop.