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.
Top
About the Author - Morgan Clarke is
the Chairman of Your Golf Holidays, a company that has been providing
bespoke golf holidays for over 25 years. They are experts in the world's
best places to play, including golf in France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Dubai,
Morocco and over 20 other countries.
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