The most beautiful tennis court in the world is hidden in a building in Paris
La Cavalerie, a club located on the seventh floor of a listed building next to the Eiffel Tower, is one of the best-kept secrets of the French capital
In Paris’s exclusive 15th arrondissement, nestled between the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero Gardens, and the École Militaire, lies what is undoubtedly one of the most unique and fascinating corners of European, and perhaps even world, sport: the Tennis de la Cavalerie. Access is via an elevator from the basement of a distinguished Art Deco building located at 6-8 Rue de la Cavalerie, by pressing the T floor. “T” stands for tennis, of course.
This is how you arrive at this private club located on the seventh floor, whose single court was designed in 1924 by the same architect as the building, Robert Farradèche, who wanted to offer, beyond the sport, a unique visual experience of Paris. So much so that, while attempting a passing shot, you can see the top of the Eiffel Tower, as well as terraces so inviting that they encourage you to stop running and order a Negroni as soon as you lose a point.
The Tennis de la Cavalerie was founded in 1927, and time seems to have stood still for it. Besides mirrors and antique rackets, the walls of this club display photos of tennis players who have come to enjoy this court, such as Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Roger Federer. A 10-year-old girl has just finished practicing with her coach. Her mother sits waiting, reading a magazine. I’m greeted by Maxime, the man who manages the GreenSet hardcourt surface. When I tell him I intend to write an article about this Parisian secret, he says, “I don’t know, I don’t know, we’re very discreet.”
The exclusive club has only 150 members, who each week return to the vibrant 1920s in a building listed for its architectural value since 1986, and which houses — in addition to the tennis court — locker rooms, relaxation rooms, a pelota court, a bar, and a restaurant.
Generations of passionate tennis players have exchanged blows beneath this iconic roof as the city of Paris unfolds below. It’s difficult to concentrate amid the beauty of the vaulted ceiling, an interior wooden structure in the shape of a honeycomb, creating a warm atmosphere and the feeling of playing inside a light and, above all, elegant space. This incredible roof elevated the prestige of Farradèche, a leading architect of the interwar period, who achieved a completely translucent wooden arched roof formed by 1,400 pieces arranged within a pronounced parabolic frame.
Becoming part of the allure of Tennis de la Cavalerie is no easy feat. To join this private club, perched high above the city, members pay around €1,900 ($2,185) a year, which entitles them to one hour of play per week and access to the other facilities. As a listed historical monument, its managers are obligated to protect its architectural character and respect its original design, even during renovations or restorations. Nearby is the impressive UNESCO headquarters complex, featuring works by Marcel Breuer, Bernard Zehrfuss, and Pier Luigi Nervi, as well as the legendary La Pagode cinema, soon to reopen. Built in 1896 by architect Alexandre Marcel, it stands as a vestige of the Japonisme style then in vogue and is itself a historical monument, in this case inspired by the Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine in Japan. This is yet another demonstration of Paris’s sensitivity to its architectural heritage.
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