REAL TENNIS
Initiation and demonstration of Real Tennis in one of the 3 remaining such rooms in active usage in France (balls and racquets provided for the initiation).
Monday to Sunday from 8am to 10pm
Further information: Salle du Jeu de Paume du Palais National. Tel.:01 64 22 47 67
The success of tennis as we know it today is in large part due to Real Tennis. In 1604, Sir Robert Dallington, returning from France, wrote: “the country is strewn with real tennis rooms: they are more numerous than the churches; the French are born with a racquet in their hand; there are more tennis players in France than beer drinkers in England. (View of France).” One counted no less than a dozen active real tennis rooms in Paris’ rue de Seine alone at the start of the 17th century. Fontainebleau was not lacking with its two real tennis rooms in the palace. The kings of France played there during their stays: game of kings, king of games. The best players came there to demonstrate their talent. One of the last sovereigns to be passionate about real tennis was Napoleon. Fontainebleau is therefore lucky to have at its disposal a place of memory where ball exchanges are steeped in history. The passion of the French for this game has faded but it has left traces in our cultural heritage, traces which bear witness to its vitality. There are numerous commonly used French expressions originating from Real Tennis: “qui va à la chasse perd sa place” (he who goes hunting loses his place), “tomber à pic” (to happen in the nick of time), “épater la galerie” (to impress the gallery)… The English, being practical people, adopted ‘open air Real Tennis’ in 1870. Lawn tennis was born from the idea of a real tennis player from Marylebone Cricket Club, to simplify the rules of real tennis and play it outside. Widespread in all of Europe after the Renaissance, real tennis is played today in Anglo-Saxon countries: the UK, the US, Australia, and in France, its country of origin. There is renewed interest in the sport as evidenced by new room openings in Melbourne and London. As for Fontainebleau’s room, returned to its destiny in 1990, it was only silent for 80 years: a mere interlude for its four centuries of history.
During the tour the lecturers, themselves real tennis players, will help you to discover and understand the world of real tennis through its history, its rules and the players’ demonstrations.
The Tourist Office of the Pays de Fontainebleau offers grouped tours of the Fontainebleau Chateau’s Real Tennis room. 45 minute tour for a minimum of 20 people. The price is €8.00 per person.
Inscriptions : Office de Tourisme du Pays de Fontainebleau 4 rue Royale - 77300 Fontainebleau - 01 60 74 99 99
In addition, the club « Real Tennis Circle of Fontainebleau » is open to the public. For inscriptions to the real tennis sports club please call 01 64 22 47 67.