France

With some of the biggest names in European golf, you should consider hopping the channel for your next break.

Insouciant. Blase. Nonchalant. All three words have their origins in France and all accurately describe the French’s attitude towards their golf courses. It is the only conclusion one can arrive at given you rarely hear the French shouting from the rooftops about their courses… when they are blessed with the most outstanding collection in mainland Europe. Ask French Tour players about the wealth of quality of their golf and you get the stereotypical Gallic shrug of the shoulders. “So what?” their body language expresses. “We’ve always had those courses.”

This is certainly true, although it hardly explains why the French – hardly reluctant to boast about their red wine or mesmeric rugby players – aren’t a bit more vocal about their golf courses. They had as many entries in Golf World’s Continental Top 100 – a healthy 17 – as anyone bar Spain. But it is not the quantity which is so impressive, it’s the quality. France was home to the top two, three of the top five and six of the top 20. No other country came close to matching that haul. Now the slightly bad news. The top two, Morfontaine and Les Bordes are only playable with a member. Their exclusivity is a shame, for these are courses to rival any inland venues in Britain.

The third French course on the list could not be more different. Le Golf National is very much a course for the people and receives thousands of visitors every year. And it is of course the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup; signs perhaps, the French are starting to realise they have a rather good product? Le Golf National has only been open for a couple of decades but has held the French Open nearly 20 times. It is built on unremarkable land and the fact you can imagine yourself playing a Scottish links at some points and a Florida parkland at others is a credit to the skill of the shapers and designers. It’s long, and L’Albatros’ numerous water hazards will make it a thrilling Ryder host.

This trio are all in and around Paris and the capital is blessed with a staggering array of golf. In addition, there is Chantilly’s vintage charm, a woodland classic at Fontainebleau, Harry Colt’s Saint Germain and the well-heeled St Nom La Breteche. So, there is every reason to think a long weekend in Paris, mixing golf, sightseeing and the cafe culture, is the perfect break for couples of golfers and non-golfers. The other key area is the south west. Here, there are four courses very close to each other and a fifth,Golf du Medoc (see page 60), a few miles up the coast near Bordeaux. The quartet comprise the tough but awesome Seignosse, a lovely links at Chiberta, a fine heathland at Hossegor and Robert Trent Jones’ Moliets. Like Paris, this grouping of the best courses is incredibly convenient for the travelling golfer. On the opposite coast, Four Seasons Terre Blanche is excellent.

Finally, two clubs with 36 wonderful holes – Le Touquet and Hardelot – sit just over the channel and are for many in England easier to play than St Andrews or even Birkdale. The former is France’s original seaside holiday destination, with a famous casino, nightlife and boutiques.

Of course, these are merely the elite – France has over 500 courses. Beneath these star names are plenty of courses of almost equal quality; the likes of St Omer, Omaha Beach, Chateau de Vigiers and St Endreol. Is it now apparent why France should be very proud of their golf?

	Chateau des Vigiers Three loops of great golf, fine wine and amazing gastronomy!
	Golf du Medoc Golf and fine wine combine in the Bordeaux-Médoc region.
	Omaha Beach Located on the coast near Bayeux just a few kilometres from the site of the D-Day landings, Omaha Beach Golf was founded in 1986.
	Domaines De Saint Endreol Golf and Spa The estates of Saint Endreol Golf & Spa Resort – a silver member of the Hotels & Preference chain – nestle in the heart of a delightful spot in the Var hinterland between Provence and the Côte d’Azur, just 45 minutes from Nice airport.
	Najetti Hotels Najeti Hôtels & Golfs have eight hotels – from Hardelot in the Pas-de-Calais to Saint-Raphaël in the Var – within its group. Each hotel retains an individual.
	Biarritz Golf Pass Why purchasing a ticket allows you to play some of the best-value golf in Europe
	Le Touquet Hardelot Take advantage of some great special offers at Le Manoir Hotel or Westminster Hotel and Spa with golf in Le Touquet or Hardelot.
	Domaine et Golf de Vagouard Located 1 hours drive south of Paris, on the road to the famous Châteaux of the Loire you will find the Domaine de Vaugouard where the beautiful surroundings and peacefulness will make you forget the tension of daily stress.
	Hotel du Golf and St Omer Golf Club A fine selection of golf hotels offering quality accommodation, excellent service, charm, tranquillity, outstanding views and gourmet restaurants