I love Paris in the autumn (as the song doesn't say). Blue skies, warm sunshine, the leaves turning red and gold on the trees and everything bathed in a warm glow. Today was one of those perfect days, my husband had an unexpected day off and I managed to book a last-minute court in the 15th arrondissement.
My daughter broke her collarbone at the weekend, putting paid to our regular family four (and just as her service was starting to improve!) so it's back to energetic singles, better for my fitness levels, but not as much fun.
Tennis Rigoulot-La Plaine was quite a trek, involving two Metro rides and a tram and we arrived 15 minutes late for our 10am booking. In the end it wasn't a problem because the court was also free for the following hour so we ended up with nearly two hours of play - a record.
The blue concrete courts were a flashback to my tennis club in Ealing though the nets were in much better condition (Steve Riley please take note!) There are seven courts in total, set amid the trees and also an astroturf football pitch with its own stand that my son would have loved.
It is a lovely, spacious sports ground, the perfect spot for a blow around in the open air although it's proximity to the Péripherique makes it rather noisy so it was sometimes difficult to hear the score being called out. The court surface was in great condition with excellent bounce and the fencing was high enough to stop balls flying on to the neighbouring court. We live too far away for these courts to become a regular venue, which is a pity - I'm just glad we managed a two-hour stretch today.
Tennis Rigoulot-La Plaine
18 avenue de la Porte Brancion
75015 Paris
