Tennis Poterne des Peupliers: Good moooove!

The Salon de l'Agriculture at the Porte de Versailles

It was pouring with rain and there were snow flurries this morning, but we were back indoors on my new favourite court at Poterne des Peupliers in the 13th arrondissement. I love Paris - two days ago we were drooling over the Raoul Dufys and Art Deco furniture in the Museum of Modern Art at the Palais de Tokyo (free entry), yesterday we were at the Salon de l'Agriculture admiring the livestock and channelling an Archers vibe (also free after a farmer in the queue gave me a spare ticket), and now we are playing tennis for the third time this week on an indoor court and at a reduced rate by dint of having the children with us. I was also sporting my new tennis bag - an early Mother's Day present since we can't play Sunday as we will be cheering on our chums in the Paris half marathon.

Last year I had a Coach handbag, this year a Babolat racket bag after the Head bag I'd brought with me from Ealing wore out. We had the benefit of an extra half hour on court when the people playing after us were late, resulting in an even more decisive victory for my son and I. The clouds had cleared when we emerged from the court so my husband and kids stayed on for a free kickabout on the adjoining football pitch. I took a stroll round the grounds in the sunshine and discovered a charming park complete with duck pond, waterfall and magnolias in full bloom.

It feels as if spring is finally on the way - in time for our move to the 20th arrondissement later this month. Long may it continue!

Tennis Poterne des Peupliers: Top marks

My son has a new racket - an early birthday present - and he absolutely had to try it out! So armed with his new kit - and some new balls for good measure (always a treat) - I booked an as yet untried court in the 13th arrondissement. As we stepped out of the metro at Maison Blanche it started to drizzle which was actually quite gratifying as I'd booked an indoor court which can feel like a waste on a glorious day.  Miserable weather and the usual miserable architecture of the 13th - but we had a spring in our step for our second game of tennis in as many days.

Poterne des Peupliers is a beautifully maintained sports centre just across the Paris tramway. We approached via a path lined with flower beds full of spring bedding and there were crocuses poking their heads up under the trees. There are two covered courts, each in its own bubble and the court surface was the best we've played on.

A new racket (for my partner!), new balls and a perfect playing surface - what more could you ask for? We had a great game. The ceiling height here is much better than in Jules Ladoumègue, where we played our last two games so there were fewer points to replay and the proportions of the dome were much better than at Tennis Carnot in the 12th arrondissement with a shorter distance to collect balls.  10 out of 10 for these courts!

Tennis Poterne des Peupliers

2 Rue Max Jacob

75013 Paris