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What to do between matches at Roland-Garros? Between two sessions (windows of 2 to 4 hours), the best bookable activities from the 16th arrondissement are: a private photo shoot at the Trocadéro (1h, 15 min from the stadium), a walking tour of Montmartre (2h), a semi-private evening guided tour of the Louvre (2h30), or an electric scooter tour of Paris (3h). All these products can be booked in advance via Viator, confirmed 5-star by hundreds of travellers.
The draw has spoken. Your favourite player is on court in the quarter-finals — morning session, matches wrapping up around 1.30pm. You have three hours and an entire city at your fingertips. Paris during Roland-Garros is a rare opportunity: the stadium closes its gates, the crowds drift towards the cafés of the 16th, and you can cross the city for a memorable experience booked the evening before on your phone.Every year between 25 May and 7 June 2026, thousands of spectators spend their free windows between matches searching for things to do. The morning session often finishes before 2pm, the night session doesn’t begin until 8.15pm — six hours of Parisian freedom for those who know how to use them. From Porte d’Auteuil, the Trocadéro is 15 minutes by metro, Montmartre is 40 minutes away, and Le Marais is 35 minutes.I’ve selected seven bookable activities on Viator — all rated 5 stars, all designed to fit the real time slots of a Roland-Garros spectator: durations from 1 hour to 3.5 hours, accessible starting points, transparent pricing. Whether you have an hour or half a day, a tight budget or a desire to splash out, there’s an option for you.
Roland-Garros 2026: free time slots and getting around from the stadium
Roland-Garros 2026 runs from 25 May to 7 June (qualifying from 18 May) at Stade Roland-Garros, 2 Avenue Gordon Bennett, 75016 Paris. The daily capacity rises to 20,000 spectators — a historic record. Day sessions begin at 11.00am, the Philippe-Chatrier night session at 8.15pm (separate ticket).
Getting around: metro lines 9 and 10 (stations Michel-Ange Molitor, Michel-Ange Auteuil, Porte d’Auteuil), tram T2, buses 32/52/123. The complete transport guide from the stadium covers all routes. In short: the Trocadéro is 10–15 minutes away, central Paris between 25 and 45 minutes depending on the neighbourhood.
Looking for somewhere to stay near Porte d’Auteuil? Our dedicated guide covers all the neighbourhoods within reach of the stadium.
7 bookable activities between matches
1. Private photo shoot at the Eiffel Tower — the perfect slot between two sessions
This is the activity tailor-made for the time-pressed spectator: 1 hour, 10–15 minutes from the stadium on metro line 9. A professional photographer meets you at the Trocadéro gardens — exceptional May light, Eiffel Tower as backdrop — and you leave with dozens of edited shots. In May–June in Paris, the golden hour falls around 7.30–8pm, perfect for the post-session slot before the night session.
- 1h slot — ideal between morning and afternoon sessions
- Professional photographer, retouching included
- Best light of the year in May–June Paris
- Direct metro line 9 from Porte d’Auteuil
Meeting point: Metro line 9, Trocadéro station — exit 3 (gardens). Private tour, price for 1–4 people.
2. Guided walking tour of Montmartre — the antidote to stadium concrete
Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Picasso — they all painted here. A 35–45-minute journey from the stadium (metro 10 then 12), Montmartre offers the total change of scenery that a spectator needs between matches. A local guide takes you through the cobbled streets of the Butte, tells the story of the Belle Époque and bohemian Montmartre, and leaves you facing Sacré-Coeur with a historical perspective that rushed tourists will never experience.
- 2h — ideal for the 2–4pm slot after a morning session
- Passionate local guide, small groups
- Hidden alleyways, Montmartre vineyard, Place du Tertre
- Best value for money in this selection
Meeting point: Abbesses metro exit (Line 12), Place des Abbesses, Montmartre.
3. Paris by electric scooter — cover the city in 3 hours
The electric scooter lets you cover Notre-Dame, the Seine embankments, Le Marais and the Champs-Élysées in a single 3-hour slot — what a tourist on foot would take two days to do. The entertaining and informative guide tells you about Paris on the move, starting from the Latin Quarter (metro line 10, 25–30 min from the stadium). Ideal for spectators with a full-day ticket: morning session done, 3h free, back refreshed for the afternoon session.
- 197 five-star reviews — the reliable choice in this selection
- All of Paris in 3h: far more than a walking tour
- Silent, zero-emission electric scooters
- Bilingual guide, anecdotes and hidden spots
Meeting point: 10 Rue de Pontoise, 75005 Paris (Latin Quarter).
4. The Louvre semi-private evening tour (max 6 people) — the Mona Lisa without the crowds
The Louvre during the day means 10,000 people in front of the Mona Lisa. In a semi-private evening session (Wednesdays and Fridays until 9.45pm), it’s a maximum of 6 people with an expert guide, skip-the-line access, and the Richelieu Gallery almost to yourselves. From Porte d’Auteuil, allow 29–35 minutes (metro 9 + 1). An ideal slot for night session ticket holders: visit the Louvre from 5pm to 7.30pm, a quick dinner in the 1st arrondissement, stadium at 8.15pm.
- Max 6 people — genuinely semi-private
- Mona Lisa accessible in under 5 minutes of queuing
- Wednesdays and Fridays: open until 9.45pm
- Expert guide with in-depth commentary on the masterpieces
Meeting point: In front of the statue of Louis XIV, Louvre pyramid, 75001 Paris.
5. Private food tour of Le Marais — 10 French classics in 3.5 hours
Le Marais is the most gastronomically dense arrondissement in Paris: artisan bakeries, aged cheesemongers, falafel from the Pletzl, patisseries. This private food tour (2–4 people) takes you through 10 French classics in 3.5 hours with a guide who knows every producer personally. A 30–35-minute journey from the stadium (metro line 9 + 1), it’s the premium option for a late lunch after a morning session. Prices from €234 are for 2 people — entirely private tour.
- 10 tastings — cheeses, charcuterie, pastries, wines
- 100% private tour — no strangers in your group
- Local guide who knows the neighbourhood’s artisans
- A worthy alternative to a restaurant lunch
Meeting point: Saint-Paul metro exit (Line 1), Rue de Rivoli, Le Marais 75004. From €234 for 2 people — private tour.
6. Soirées Fantastiques by Laurent Beretta — magic in a secret Parisian venue
Laurent Beretta is one of the most acclaimed magicians and illusionists in France, recognised on the international stage. His Soirées Fantastiques take place in secret Parisian venues — revealed after booking — for an intimate and unforgettable experience. The 2h evening format positions it perfectly after the day session or after the night session for a memorable end to the evening. A Roland-Garros tournament is best experienced with all the senses.
- A unique and exclusive Paris experience
- Laurent Beretta, internationally acclaimed
- Evening format — perfect after the stadium
- Secret venue revealed after booking
Meeting point: Venue communicated after booking. Paris, transport recommended.
7. Free walking tour of Montmartre — exploring Paris without breaking the budget
Welcome to the option for those whose budget has already gone on Roland-Garros tickets. This free walking tour of Montmartre (tip suggested: €10–15) covers the same alleyways and history as the paid guided tour, with slightly larger groups and a tip-based format. The guide carries a bright green umbrella to be spotted at the Abbesses metro exit — the most colourful meeting point in the 18th.
- No advance booking required — maximum flexibility
- Enthusiastic guides, relaxed format
- Conducted in English and French
- Tip only if you’re satisfied
Meeting point: Abbesses metro exit (Line 12) — look for the guide with the bright green umbrella.
Practical information for your Roland-Garros stay
Follow live scores, book last-minute activities, share your photos from the Trocadéro: a Europe eSIM saves you from roaming charges. Activate in minutes before you travel.
From €3.50Ticket cancellation, medical emergencies, lost luggage: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance covers the unexpected during your Roland-Garros trip. Global coverage from $56 per 4 weeks. Get 10% off via our link.
From $56 / 4 weeksFlight prices to Paris generally rise 3 weeks before Roland-Garros. Search on Aviasales now to lock in your fare and travel with peace of mind.
Compare for freeLooking for another activity to fit your time slot? Viator lists hundreds of experiences in Paris — filterable by duration, neighbourhood and budget.
From €0Frequently asked questions
How much free time do you get between matches at Roland-Garros?
It depends on your ticket type. With a day session ticket (roughly 11am–6pm), you typically have 2 to 4 hours free if your match finishes before 2pm. Night session ticket holders (8.15pm start) potentially have the entire day free — up to 7 hours. Annexe court tickets (courts 2–16) have no fixed schedule and therefore offer maximum flexibility for Viator activities. Our perfect day guide covers all the time slots in detail.
Which activity is closest to the Roland-Garros stadium?
The private Trocadéro photo shoot (100972P3) is the closest activity: 10–15 minutes on metro line 9 direct from Porte d’Auteuil. The 1-hour duration also makes it the most suitable for short windows between sessions. The Fondation Louis Vuitton in the Bois de Boulogne is 15 minutes on foot from the stadium for a no-booking alternative.
Should you book Viator activities in advance during Roland-Garros?
Yes, strongly recommended. Roland-Garros draws 20,000 spectators per day in 2026 — the best time slots for Paris guided tours fill up quickly. The semi-private Louvre visit (max 6 people) is the first to sell out. Book at least 48–72 hours in advance, ideally as soon as you purchase your Roland-Garros ticket. All activities in this selection typically offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Are there free activities to do between matches in Paris?
Yes. The free walking tour of Montmartre (394285P19) is the no-fixed-cost option: free entry, suggested tip of €10–15 based on your satisfaction. The Tribune Concorde fan zone at Place de la Concorde is free from 3 to 7 June 2026, with live match screenings and entertainment. La Nuit des Musées (23 May) also offers a unique window of free nocturnal museum access during the qualifying week.
Which of these activities offers the best value for money?
For tighter budgets: the free Montmartre walking tour (€0–15) delivers 2 hours of bohemian Paris with a local guide. For excellent paid value: the guided Montmartre walking tour at €30 or the electric scooter tour at €65 (3h covering the whole city). The premium option with the best guest feedback remains the semi-private Louvre evening tour (€150, max 6 people) — no other format gets you to the Mona Lisa without the crowds.
- rolandgarros.com — Roland-Garros 2026 official calendar and information
- tennismajors.com — French Open 2026 dates and tournament format
- Paris Tourism — Paris tourist numbers 2025 (50M visitors)
- fondationlouisvuitton.fr — Calder exhibition 2026, opening times and prices
- ratp.fr — Metro journey times on lines 9/10/12 from Porte d’Auteuil