FRENCH OPEN FEVER

Center court Philippe-Chatrier by Caroline O'Connell

I’m an unabashed tennis fanatic, have been for years.  Took lessons, played with a group of friends that met every weekend, even entered a few doubles tournaments with a girlfriend.  So, watching the Grand Slam tournaments has been a must-do on my calendar.  I’ve always wanted to actually attend one, and being a Francophile, the French Open was high on my list. 

A couple years ago, I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend in Paris who had great tickets that included a gourmet lunch under a tent.  Needless to say, I made sure my travel plans coincided with that date in late May.  Here are notes on what I observed and info on tickets.

Attire
Many French attendees dress elegantly (unlike U.S. tennis-goers who tend to wear shorts and sandals), especially if they’re watching on the main court, Philippe-Chatrier, and have passes for the special dining area.  I splurged on a blue Theory silk/linen pantsuit to wear for the occasion, and it fit right in, although it was very hot that day, so a summer dress might have been more comfortable.  My friend was wearing nice slacks and a sports jacket, as were all the men at our private lunch, where the meal was delicious and the Moët & Chandon champagne flowed. Even though it was very warm under the tent, their jackets stayed on.

Transportation
Roland Garros stadium is adjacent the Bois de Boulogne Park on the western end of Paris.  Our cab took about 25 minutes (in slow traffic from the Champs-Elysées), but you can easily catch the Métro, and a bus takes you the last mile or so. 

What You’ll See
We went at the beginning of Week One, which gives you a chance to see all the players in Early Round matches.  You won’t see the top players facing off, but you get a lot of tennis matches each day, and I was fortunate enough to see Nadal and Federer, in separate matches playing unknown opponents (at least I’d never heard of them).  For many fans, tickets to attend a semi-final or final match are the most sought after, but I think the quarter-finals are very interesting, because you see more top players in competitive matches.

How to Watch  
        If you’re planning ahead (at least a few months), you can order tickets on the tournament website – www.rolandgarros.com.

        Guide2Paris posted good tips on how to buy tickets during the tournament (there is a new “exchange” authorized by the Roland Garros website for people to sell their tickets to people wanting to buy them): http://www.guide2paris.com/news/499/How-to-get-tickets-for-Roland-Garros-in-Paris

        Paris Perfect Apartment Rentals has a great article on “Roland Garros in the City,” another clever idea by the French to showcase their culture.  This time they’ve converted the plaza in front of Hôtel de Ville (their City Hall) into tennis central, complete with a large screen showing live matches and various booths. http://www.parisperfect.com/blog/2012/05/roland-garros-french-open-2012/

        Or, you can do what most of us are doing and watch the matches on TV.  During the week, The Tennis Channel has extensive coverage, and NBC-TV (featuring my favorite tennis commentator John McEnroe) will be broadcasting matches on the weekends.

As I’m enjoying listening to John McEnroe call the play, I will be cheering for Rafael Nadal, my favorite player.  In a Sports Illustrated "French Open Preview" their writers are predicting Rafa will win.  I hope they’re right.  Who are you rooting for? 


For more info on activities in Paris, check out my new book Every Woman's Guide to Romance in Paris, or follow me on Twitter (@ParisRomance) or on Facebook (RomanceInParisGuide).

Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio re: Paris

I just finished my first radio interview for the book launch (on Sat.).  Peter Greenberg hosted the show from Hôtel Fouquet's Barrière in Paris.  He is a great host, very inquisitive and interested in getting to the heart of having a memorable, unique travel experience.  Keeps you on your toes if you're a show guest.  It's fun for me to talk about my Paris highlights, almost feel like I'm there, especially since I was drinking a good strong coffee (to get all my neurons firing) which reminds me of my daily trips to Verlet coffee house on Rue St.-Honoré.

We talked about places to enjoy the romance of Paris -- like jazz at Duc des Lombards or Café Laurent.  I love taking a daytrip to the Champagne region, and Peter mentioned some of his favorite venues.  My top pick for lunch or dinner in Reims is Les Crayères -- gourmet dining, beautiful accommodations, and lovely grounds.  Another must-visit locale in Paris is Notre Dame on the island in the middle of the Seine River where you might be lucky enough to hear some organ music, and nearby Sainte-Chapelle (photo above right) hosts intimate chamber music concerts.

Here is a link to the podcast:
Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio on Paris  

Paris is a Great City to Learn About Perfume

The French play a big role in the history of perfume, and Paris is a great city to learn more about that history and enjoy special scent workshops.  The renowned Guerlain line of perfumes has been in existence since the 19th century, when Pierre-François Guerlain created custom fragrances for members of European royalty. Today, at the Guerlain boutiques on Place Vendôme and the Champs-Elysées, you are invited to select the perfume that best suits your personality (at a hefty price).

(The photo is of the Guerlain boutique on the corner of Rue St.-Honoré at Place Vendôme, a great neighborhood to explore.)

Another good resource is Chandler Burr's book, THE PERFECT SCENT – A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York (Henry Holt and Company).

If you’re a scent addict, as I am, Burr’s thorough description of how modern-day perfumes are created and sold is very revealing.  He tells the story through two new perfumes – one in Paris for Hermès and a celebrity perfume for Coty in New York tied to Sarah Jessica Parker.  Burr was given firsthand access to observe and report on how these fragrances, Un Jardin sur le Nil and Lovely, came to be.

In writing that puts you on the scene, Burr covers the major players in the perfume industry, how a scent is created (from the plant to the laboratory), the debate over the design and creation of the bottle and stopper (with an eye on the cost), and the launch and marketing campaign (in the millions of dollars). 

This is art and industry, all rolled into one.

(For more detailed information, there is a special section in my new book, Every Woman's Guide to ROMANCE IN PARIS, on Shopping for a Scent, When to Apply Perfume, Perfume Workshops, a Perfume Museum, and recommended stores where you can splurge on your own scent.)