Top 11 Best Golf Courses in France, Must-Try in 2024/2025!
Golf shines as a major sport in France, where it enjoys immense popularity. The French Golf Federation ranks as the 7th most beloved sports federation in the nation. With an impressive lineup of over 800 courses, France caters to golf enthusiasts across various skill levels.
These courses aren’t just about the game; many are nestled in spectacular settings, offering not only top-notch golfing experiences but also stunning vistas and luxurious amenities. This rich variety and quality make France a true haven for golfers, boasting a vibrant community of over 400,000 players who cherish the sport’s blend of competition and scenic beauty.
Must-Play Golf Courses in France for 2024/205
1. Les Bordes Golf Club
- Location: Saint-Laurent-Nouan
- Notable: Known as one of the most exclusive and challenging golf courses in Europe.
Les Bordes Golf Club
Les Bordes Golf Club is an emblem of exclusivity and premier golfing in the Loire Valley. Renowned for its Old Course, which is often cited as among the finest in Europe, Les Bordes immerses golfers in a tranquil, wooded landscape interspersed with serene lakes, providing both a peaceful environment and strategic water hazards. Its intricate design, by the acclaimed Robert von Hagge, offers a brilliant balance between challenge and aesthetic appeal, ensuring a remarkable and contemplative golfing journey.
2. Morfontaine Golf Club
- Location: Mortefontaine
- Notable: Highly esteemed and frequently ranked among the best golf courses in the world.
Morfontaine Golf Club
Morfontaine Golf Club, with its rich history and aristocratic roots, extends an invitation to experience golf in its most classical and elegant form. This Tom Simpson-designed course artfully incorporates the natural undulations and verdant woodlands of the Vallée de Chevreuse, providing a secluded and enchanting environment for golf. The course not only challenges one’s skill but also kindles a deep appreciation for the timeless and natural beauty of the landscape, offering a sublime and aristocratic golfing experience.
3. Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort
- Location: Tourrettes
- Notable: Offers two championship golf courses and is widely regarded for its luxurious amenities and beautiful landscapes.
Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort
Nestled in the Provence countryside, Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort exemplifies the pinnacle of luxury golfing. With two 18-hole championship courses, Le Château and Le Riou, the resort impeccably combines the rustic charm of the French countryside with top-tier golfing. Both courses weave through the serene Provencal landscape, providing thrilling elevational changes, and strategic challenges, all while offering stunning panoramas of villages and mountains, ensuring an idyllic yet invigorating golfing experience that tantalizes all the senses.
4. Le Golf National
- Location: Guyancourt, near Paris
- Notable: Hosted the Ryder Cup in 2018 and is the annual venue for the Open de France.
Le Golf National
Le Golf National, located in the suburbs of Paris, radiates international acclaim as one of the best golf courses in France after the Ryder Cup in 2018. With its Albatros course, often labeled as one of the best in Europe, it provides a mesmerizing yet challenging experience for every golfer. The course is meticulously crafted to pose strategic challenges, with water hazards, undulating fairways, and cleverly placed bunkers enhancing both the visual appeal and the complexity of the game. An iconic finish with the last four holes surrounded by water obstacles guarantees an adrenaline-infused conclusion to the round, making every moment on this legendary course truly unforgettable.
5. Fontainebleau Golf Club
- Location: Fontainebleau, near Paris
- Notable: Known for its beautiful setting and remarkable history.
Fontainebleau Golf Club
Fontainebleau Golf Club is located in the heart of the Fontainebleau forest, near the historic town and château. The course, established in the early 20th century, is celebrated for its aesthetic allure, characterized by its dense vegetation, rocky outcrops, and vibrant flora. Navigating through its narrow fairways and confronting its strategically placed bunkers provides a challenging yet thoroughly enjoyable game, enveloped by the serene and ancient woodlands.
6. Golf de Sperone
- Location: Bonifacio, Corsica
- Notable: Celebrated for its spectacular seaside holes and Mediterranean vistas.
Golf de Sperone
Adorning the southern tip of Corsica, Golf de Sperone showcases a spectacular blend of coastal and mountain scenery, providing a breathtaking backdrop to its diverse golf course. Renowned for its 16th hole, which is often lauded as one of the world’s most beautiful, the course intertwines seamlessly with the rugged Corsican landscape, incorporating coastal cliffs, wind-swept beaches, and vibrant maquis into its design, offering a golfing experience that is as visually stunning as it is exhilarating to play.
7. Golf de Chiberta
- Location: Anglet, Basque Country
- Notable: Often highlighted as one of the best France golf courses thanks to its stunning links-style layout and close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
Golf de Chiberta
Located near Biarritz in the French Basque Country, Golf de Chiberta is a beloved venue among golf enthusiasts, particularly for its dazzling links design that intricately intertwines with the Atlantic coastline. The course, ingeniously devised by Tom Simpson in 1927, affords players an exciting yet challenging game through its array of dunes and pine forests, all while offering stunning ocean views. Chiberta doesn’t just provide an invigorating game; it grants a harmonious blend of land, sea, and sport, delivering a holistic and unparalleled golfing experience. While the seaside holes often steal the spotlight, the forested holes also present their own unique challenges and aesthetic splendor.
8. Biarritz le Phare Golf Club
- Location: Biarritz
- Notable: Known for its historical significance, being one of the oldest golf courses in France, and its beautiful city-side location.
Biarritz le Phare Golf Club
The enchanting Biarritz le Phare Golf Club, situated amidst the luxurious city of Biarritz, provides golfers with a seamless blend of historical elegance and stellar golfing. Established in 1888 by British engineers, the course carries with it a rich legacy, reflected in its traditional architectural charm. Despite being located in the heart of the city, Biarritz le Phare offers a surprisingly tranquil environment, allowing players to immerse themselves fully in their game amidst serene surroundings. The course, while not exceedingly difficult, promises a delightful round of golf, with its immaculate fairways and meticulously maintained greens, surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes, offering both novices and seasoned golfers a pleasing and leisurely play.
9. Omaha Beach Golf Club
- Location: Port-en-Bessin, Normandy
- Notable: Not only recognized for its challenging play but also for its historical significance related to the D-Day landings during WWII.
Omaha Beach Golf Club
Embedded within a region steeped in profound historical significance, Omaha Beach Golf Club provides not only a compelling golfing experience but also a somber reflection of the past. Overlooking the site of the D-Day landings, the course honors the pivotal events of WWII, infusing each game with a deep sense of reverence. Beyond its historical connotations, Omaha Beach Golf Club stands out for its aesthetic allure and golfing challenge. The course snakes through Normandy’s striking coastline, offering panoramic vistas of the English Channel, whilst the varying elevations, numerous bunkers, and the ever-present coastal winds add a strategic and challenging layer to every round played on this memorable course.
10. Saint Endreol Golf & Spa Resort
- Location: La Motte-en-Provence
- Notable: A picturesque course nestled among the Provence hills, offering spectacular views and technical challenges.
Saint Endreol Golf & Spa Resort
Saint Endreol Golf & Spa Resort is located within the entrancing hills of Provence, a course that manages to encapsulate the idyllic beauty of the region whilst providing a thoroughly engaging golfing experience. Designed by Michel Gayon, the course gracefully meanders through lush vegetation, dramatic ravines, and alongside the tranquil La Nartuby River. Perhaps the most iconic hole is the 13th, where players tee off above a mesmerizing waterfall – an image that will undoubtedly linger in the memory of every visitor. Beyond the course, Saint Endreol invites relaxation with its spa and residential facilities, making it not just a golfing destination but a tranquil retreat amidst the serene Provencal landscape.
11. Golf du Médoc Resort
- Location: Le Pian-Médoc, near Bordeaux
- Notable: Known for its two high-quality courses and is situated in the famous Médoc wine region, providing both challenging play and an opportunity to enjoy the local wines.
Golf du Médoc Resort
Nestled amidst the world-renowned vineyards of the Médoc wine region, Golf du Médoc Resort beckons golfers with two exceptional courses: Les Châteaux and Les Vignes, both of which offer unique and distinctive playing experiences. Routinely listed amongst Europe’s elite courses, the resort is a testament to the enthralling beauty and intricate design that characterize French golfing. Les Châteaux, with its heathland character, wide fairways, and formidable bunkers, delivers a classic yet challenging game, while Les Vignes provides a more serene and harmonious play amidst the iconic vineyards. Both of these France golf courses, however, ensure a glorious communion with nature, a testament to the rich Bordeaux landscape, and a thrilling golfing experience that will enthrall players from tee to green.
These above-mentioned golf courses in France have garnered reputations for providing excellent golfing experiences for over 400,000 golf players in France and also a large number of visitors from all over the world. While some are exclusive and may require memberships or special bookings, others are accessible to the public and offer options for visitors. It is always advisable to check the booking options in advance. Know any other wonderful golf courses in France that are worth playing, don’t hesitate to share with us by commenting on the box below.
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