Golf Holidays in France Where to Go
By Morgan Clarke
French golf holidays are more popular than ever thanks to the superb variety of courses that are available across the entire
country. Each region has its own individual character and attractions to keep you occupied away from the golf courses and
you will probably find yourself spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to go for your golf break! Here is a brief run
through each of the regions, along with a selection of the finest golf courses in France.
Northern France and Normandy
Quite apart from the quality of the courses, a golf trip here offers one distinct advantage location. It's only a short hop
across the Channel to the northern regions of France, and a golf holiday here will place you amidst some of the finest golf
courses in the country. The region also offers up a great coastline, picturesque towns and ports and expansive forests and
lively resorts to keep you entertained between rounds.
Top Courses:
La Touquet La Mer This challenging course has hosted the French Open in the past and is kept in outstanding condition all
year round.
Golf Parc Widely rated as one of the best golf courses in France, Golf Parc in Nantilly is a large, varied and exciting
place for a round of golf.
Paris, Champagne and Alsace
Golf near Paris has the obvious advantage of being close to one of Europe's most exciting capital cities, and there's plenty of
world-class golf (four courses in the World Top 100 to be precise and many good ones besides) to be had in the surrounding
countryside. If your French golf holiday takes you further east to Champagne and Alsace, there are numerous Michelin-starred
restaurants and (of course!) lots of Champagne and wine to keep you happy.
Top Courses:
Chantilly Vineuil This course has hosted the French Open ten times, and is kept in perfect condition
Chateau d'Augerville This beautiful course is based around a 17th-Century chateau (also a four-star hotel) a perfect
place for lunch overlooking the 18th green.
Le Kempferhof Not many people know about Le Kempferhof, but it is a superbly designed course with a variety of challenges at
each hole. Rated No.2 in France and among Europe's finest.
The Loire, Burgundy and Central France
As well as being "littered" with famous and beautiful Chateaux, the Loire is also home to some of the best golf courses in
France, including the joint no 1. course in Europe. The central region can be especially good if you are looking for a more
relaxed golf holiday in France.
Top Courses:
Royan Set in a pine forest and reckoned by experts to be one of the finest courses in the region, Royan presents a tough
challenge in a beautiful location
Les Bordes This is regarded as being one of the two best courses in Europe, and features a tough array of holes in
spectacular surroundings it really is a must play!
Limere Orleans This course is great fun to play with numerous water hazards and impeccable presentation, and has
hosted several French PGA Championships
The Alps
If you are considering a golf holiday in France, the Alps may not immediately spring to mind, but amid the spectacular
mountains and valleys are a number of superb golf courses.
Top Courses:
Golf Club de Lyon This gorgeous course is a real treat to play on, combining some tricky holes with beautiful scenery.
La Bresse La Bresse is a highly enjoyable course, designed to be challenging but rewarding for intelligent players.
Evian Masters Golf Course The course hosts the world's premier ladies tournament each year. A good layout and
maintained impeccably.
Southern France
Anyone who wants to go on a golf holiday to France will surely be tempted by the south. With over three hundred days of
sunshine each year, world famous cuisine and superb beaches, there is plenty to draw you here. But it's not all fine wine and
sunbathing, as the region also features numerous superb golf courses designed by the lacks of Trent Jones, Gary Player, Pete
Dye, Robert von Hagge and Peter Alliss. Biarritz in the south west has long been regarded as a golfer's haven with five
courses in Europe's Top 100 and there are plenty of other courses in the area to keep even the most avid golfer occupied.
Top Courses:
Barbaroux This is one of the toughest golf courses in France, with each hole presenting its own unique challenge. Well
worth a visit for golfers who really want to push themselves.
Seignosse In the world Top 100, Seignosse is as pretty, intricate and devious a course as you are likely to play.
Taulane This course isn't as tough as some of the others in the region but the great design by Gary Player makes for a very
satisfying round of golf.
About The Author: Morgan Clarke is the Chairman of Your Golf Holidays (www.yourgolfholidays.com/france-golf-breaks-holidays.html),
a company that has been providing golf holidays around the world for over 25 years.
