France - Golf Courses 

The Bordeaux Area

One of France's favorite golfing sons, Jean Van de Velde grew up in this region and it is easy to see how he developed his love of golf and wine, as both are in abundance! Where better to play golf in the morning, sample wine in the afternoon and enjoy a gourmet meal in the evening - pretty close to the perfect day.

GUJAN MESTRAS: One of the finest courses in the region. It offers a challenging mixture of water, trees and bunkers. Water comes into play on seven holes, so accuracy is at a premium. Located south west of Bordeaux, this picturesque layout is ideal for play on a transition day to, or from, Biarritz.

LACANAU: Located west of Bordeaux and close to the Atlantic, this is a fun but challenging course. It is characterized by a little water, giant dunes and some well protected greens.

MEDOC: This course comprises 36 holes - Les Chateaux and Les Vignes. Les Chateaux has a very strong pedigree. It is ranked in Continental Europe's Top 50 and is the site of an annual European PGA Tour event. It has a 'links' feel with wide fairways, lined with broom and heather. Les Vignes offers an excellent compliment to it's sister course. Tall pine trees line it's fairways, but it's small shaped greens offer the most difficult obstacle to a good score. In keeping with the region where Medoc resides, both courses use large wine bottles as 150 meter markers! Medoc is located 15 miles northwest of Bordeaux.

VIGIERS: A Donald Steel design, this charming resort layout winds through the plum orchards, woods and vineyards of the Chateau des Vigiers estate. It is sufficiently challenging to keep you thinking throughout your round.

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The Biarritz Area

Located on "La Cote Basque" (Basque Coast) this is definitely one of the 'hidden gems' of international golf travel. A collection of eclectic and challenging courses all lie within a short drive of one of France's original resort town's - Biarritz. It's golf pedigree is self-evident when you learn that Biarritz's sister town in the USA is Augusta, GA.

BIARRITZ LE PHARE: One of the oldest courses in France - built by Willie Dunn in 1888 for the British and Russian aristocrats holidaying in Biarritz. It is a relatively flat and open layout but certainly a good test with many small greens. An apt description would be stadium golf 19th century style!

CHIBERTA: Links golf with a French flavor. Designed in 1927 by legendary architect Tom Simpson. It can be described as short (6,200 yards/par 70), rugged and natural - links golf with some parkland mixed in.

HOSSEGOR: Another of Continental Europe's Top 50, this parkland layout was designed at the turn of the century by Tom Morrison. Narrow fairways, small greens and well placed bunkers make Hossegor more difficult than it's 6,400 yards length suggests, but it is still a great deal of fun to play.

MAKILA: The renowned architect Rocky Roquemore, created an eclectic layout here with a good variety of holes including some mountain style and some parkland with water hazards and oak trees. Set within view of the Pyrenees mountains, it is an enjoyable test for the low and mid handicapper alike.

MOLIETS: Located on the coast just north of Biarritz, this is classic Robert Trent Jones golf - wide, open, pine tree lined fairways, huge bunkers and well protected greens. A little bit of water and five classic links holes make this course worthy of it's top 50 Continental Europe ranking.

SAN SEBASTIAN: Located in Spain, but only a 30 minute drive from Biarritz, this is the home course of two time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal. Indeed, it is easy to see how Jose Maria developed his touch around the greens when you experience some of the interesting challenges which this course presents. You may even see him on the range, which he often uses when not on tour!

SEIGNOSSE: Ranked in both Continental Europe's Top 50 and the World's Top 100, Robert Von Hagge created a masterpiece here. Those who enjoy the mental side of golf will defintely delight in the many challenges to be found on this shortish layout with contoured fairways and magnificent tree lined vistas in abundance.

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The Cote D' Azur (Cannes) Area

The"Cote d'Azur" is famous for many things - sun, sand, movie stars. It may surprise you to learn that in addition to all this it possesses a wide selection of world class courses just a short drive from the beautiful blue coast. Architects, such as, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Robert Von Hagge and Gary Player have created masterpieces which, once played, will linger in the memory for many years to come.

CANNES MOUGINS: A Peter Alliss/Dave Thomas design located just north of the town of Cannes. This course is full of variety and nicely landscaped, it rewards those who can move the ball either way off the tee. It has hosted the Cannes Open for many years.

GRASSE: Located in the hills overlooking Grasse and the Cannes region - the views are worth the green fee alone. It is an eclectic layout with a mixture of very challenging and relatively easy holes. The course is ideally located for a complete day out including golf, lunch and an afternoon walking the winding streets of Grasse.

MONTE CARLO: A truly unique experience. Set 3,000 feet above the principality of Monaco, standing on the 14th tee you can see Monte Carlo and the Mediterranean including both the French and Italian Rivieras. The layout is parkland style with lush fairways and small greens. Play the course, then visit the world famous principality of Monaco.

ROYAL MOUGINS: This course is certainly deserving of it's top 50 Continental Europe ranking. It is an exclusive club which welcomes visitors for a full day golf experience including unlimited golf, lunch and practice balls. Robert Von Hagge created an excellent test with waterfalls, huge boulders, island greens, sculptured fairways and massive bunkers. Located 7 miles north of Cannes, it is the site of an annual European PGA tour event.

ST. DONAT: A Robert Trent Jones, Jr. layout which rewards accuracy rather than distance. The first ten holes are relatively flat, while the last eight are much more hilly. The 18th is a great finishing hole - a monster par 5 with two lakes and a massive green in front of a splendid clubhouse. St. Donat is located 9 miles north of Cannes.

TAULANE: Set at an altitude of 3,200 feet in the hills of Castellane some 40 miles north-west of Cannes, this course is located in a natural setting of seclusion and tranquility. Gary Player designed a layout which makes good use of the surrounding countryside and landscape - varied and challenging.

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The Provence Area

Many would argue that the Provencal way of life is as close to "Nirvana" as it comes. Where else can you combine sunshine with beautiful scenery, quaint villages and a laid back attitude? Throw in some stunning courses and great food and wine and you have the perfect recipe for a memorable golf vacation. we are just worried that you may not want to leave!

BARBAROUX: A Pete Dye, Snr. & Jr. design in Continental Europe's top 50. Off the back tees it is a bit of a "bear" but as you move forward to the yellow tees, it becomes more interesting for the mid-handicap golfer. The picturesque Provence landscape will make it a pleasant experience - no matter what you shoot! Barbaroux is located 37 miles east of Aix-en-Provence.

FREGATE: Views of the Mediterranean abound on this beautifully landscaped, technically demanding course. Architect Ronald Fream made good use of a hilly piece of land. You will find slanting and sometimes narrow fairways, limestone rock outcrops, vineyards and olive groves. Fregate is located close to the town of Bandol, west of Toulon.

PONT ROYAL: Water, dog-legs, large bunkers, ravines, strategically placed trees - a tricky course worthy of it's designer - Seve Ballesteros. This course is rapidly developing the reputation of being one of the best in this region of France. It is located 19 miles north-west of Aix-en-Provence.

ST. ENDREOL: Laid out in typical Provence style countryside, this Michel Gayon course hugs the contours of the landscape. All eighteen holes provide a challenge as well as many fabulous views. St. Endreol is 3 miles north of Le Muy and 17 miles north of Ste. Maxime.

STE. MAXIME: A hilly course where carts are definitely recommended. The views over St. Tropez bay and the Maures uplands are spectacular. What the course lacks in length, it more than makes up for in demanding accuracy and precision off the tee and the approaches around the green. The course is located just north of Ste. Maxime.

SERVANNES: Set at the foot of the Alpilles Hills, this is a more picturesque than challenging course. You can enjoy the Provencal views and rugged countryside and not get too worried about your score! After golf, be sure to explore the village of Baux-de-Provence located next to the course.

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