Every year in May, the world’s best tennis players and enthusiasts descend on Paris for the French Open. Who could pass up the lure of seeing Rafael Nadal and Venus Williams (no Roger or Maria this year) at one of the most storied sporting grounds in the world? Those who venture to the west of the city to Roland-Garros know that while they came to watch the world’s most romantic sport, the world’s most romanticized cities are also within reach. Here’s how tennis lovers should spend their time in Paris.

First of all, ticketing options at Roland-Garros are plenty. The tournament is two weeks long, so there’s ample opportunity to see dozens of the world’s top pros. Packages range from grounds passes, weekend passes, evening sessions, and single tickets. To get closer to the players, buy a grounds pass, and you’ll be able to access all but the three main stadiums. From the peripheral courts, it’s easy catch a glimpse of stellar tennis from the front row (just get there early to claim a spot). With a grounds pass, you can still watch on the big screens outside of the larger stadiums. And for offsite viewing, the Hôtel de Ville (Paris’s city hall) live streams matches on a jumbo screen—bring a picnic basket! At night, pubs and cafes throughout the city stream the action.

For accommodations, you’ll want to stay near Roland-Garros, west of central Paris. The tournament is not in the most central arrondissement (about four miles from Place de la Concorde), which is all the more reason to channel Serena Williams, who stays in her own pied-à-terre, and skip the hotels for a chic Parisian apartment all your own. There are several HomeAways available near the facility, some with rooftop views of the Eiffel Tower. When it’s time to go to the facility, you can walk or take Metro lines Nine or 10. If it’s a hotel you’re after, the super-luxe Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme has been Federer and Sharapova’s go-to home during tournaments past.

If you’re looking to brush up on your tennis history, there’s a tennis museum located on the grounds of Roland-Garros. Inside, you’ll find displays of mostly French and European tennis history in the form of contemporary art, cartoons, photography, and sculpture.