My husband and I were planning to travel to Paris in late May of this year. We were thinking that this is the end of shoulder season and Paris might be a little less crowded, the weather will be okay, and with better options on hotel rooms. I just discovered that the French Open will be taking place May 18-June 7. Now I’m wondering if there is a great impact on the casual non-tennis tourist and should shoot for earlier in the month or wait until September or October. I don’t want to go in April fearing chilly rain. Thank you.
Posted by
Chicago
1200 posts
Roland Garros is located west of central Paris and you would most likely not
come close to it in your sightseeing by accident.
While there may be some small impact on hotel rates, I would otherwise not
worry much about the French Open affecting your time in Paris. After all,
Paris pulled off the Olympics in grand style in 2024.
Posted by
1668 posts
We had perfect weather last April in Paris. Of course you never know.
Paris fashion week is Sept 28-Oct 6, 2026 and hotel prices increase.
Posted by
3140 posts
Paris is always crowded, except maybe in August. However, the biggest crowds are unquestionably in September/early October. There is a 6-7 week period, as everything starts back up after summer vacation, when hotels are full, prices are at annual peaks, and the city is swollen with visitors. This is not just Fashion week, there are seemingly endless exhibitions, conventions, and trade shows.
The September weather is amazing, mild and pleasant, but if you want to avoid crowds, May might be a better time to visit. The French Open will have little overall impact.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11608 posts
Late May will have not only a lot of foreign tourists at the sites but also school groups from France, the EU and around the world. It is by no means shoulder season for tourism. The French Open will have little impact except a few restaurant reservations.
The tourism rush begins right after Easter.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
11 posts
This has been very helpful. Thanks to all who responded. I appreciate the details you provided.
Posted by
21 posts
A few thoughts: We were just in Paris on the day of the French Open finals, the first week of June, 2025, visiting our daughter and I agree that the city didn't seem much busier because of the tennis. Paris is busy ALL the time. There's only one Paris and everyone wants to go there. Rightly so! We were also there in November, 2025 and we've been there in December. Still busy. But just plan ahead and be patient is my best advice. (Although the tournament is west of the city there is a watching zone in the Place de la Condorde if you're interested.) I have more tips but I'll stop there!
Posted by
Chicago
9482 posts
The best times to visit much of Europe including Paris is late spring and fall -- there is no real 'shoulder season' and prices reflect that for hotels (which are cheaper in August than May) Paris is a huge city and the open occurs on the far edges of the city. We have been there when friends were attending the FO and not noticed any impact in the city itself.
Posted by
Tampa, FL
2 posts
My husband and I had the pleasure of attending the second round of the French Open in 2024. The area where we stayed in St. Germain did not seem any more crowded than what I would have expected. The only crowds we encountered related to the Open were as the metro got closer to the stadium and the long line to get into the stadium grounds on the west side of Paris. As for weather, the four days in May that we were there it rained every day, mostly just a drizzle--nothing like a Florida thunderstorm. To me, a rainy day in Paris is better than a rainy day anywhere else.