French Holiday Ideas | Golf Holidays in France

France is blessed with such topographical diversity – gorgeous coastlines, breathtaking mountain scenery, expanses of rural plains and shaded woodlands – that you might think you are visiting several countries rolled into one.

Nowhere does this benefit the holidaymaker more than when choosing a golfing break, and now that the country has been chosen as the host of the 2018 Ryder Cup (at Le Golf National near Paris), interest in crossing the Channel for a few rounds is likely to be ramped up over the coming few years – and with it ever more good deals for visitors.

Select carefully and you could be playing a tricky links course in Brittany, a world-class course near Paris, a sun-baked fairway near Nice or on Corsica, a quiet corner of Calvados or even an altitude course with an Alpine backdrop in the Rhone-Alps (ie Golf de Méribel or Golf d’Evian). The added bonus, of course, is that no matter how you play you can always retire to some lovely accommodation and enjoy top-class French cuisine after your round!




The sport is massively popular in France and the country has more than 550 courses to choose from. The French Tourism Board has an excellent guide to the courses by region.

Such is the variety of courses to play, that all standards of golfer are catered for, so you can set your own challenges depending on your level.

For those with an eye on their budget, it’s important to know that there are many special deals and bargains to be taken. Operators such as Brittany Ferries organise specialist trips that include travel, accommodation and green fees. They offer great flexibility, good value and a wide range of locations to choose from, including Aquitaine, Brittany, Loire Valley, Normandy, Poitou Charentes and Western Loire.

Once you get to France, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the Golf Pass system, which allows you to make savings when playing more than one course in a certain region. For example, head to Biarritz, Bordeaux, Médoc, Arcachon, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin or Provence – amongst many others – and you have the pick of the best courses around at a reduced rate.

Meanwhile, with the Golf Pass Paris North, you can enjoy a stay at the three-star Golf Hotel Mont Griffon and play three of the areas most striking and challenging courses: Golf de l’Isle d’Adam, Golf de Raray and Golf de Mont Griffon.

Many of the country’s leading courses are set in the grounds of lovely country house hotels and châteaux, so why not make a special stay out of it – for example, Château des Vigiers in the Dordogne is a hotel, golf club and spa all set in 450 acres of beautiful countryside. The offer a range of short break deals, such as five nights for the price of four, as well as a special gourmet package. Perhaps couples might enjoy this idea – he plays golf while she relaxes in the spa!

Further south at St Cyr Sur Mer, between Marseille and Toulon, is the lovely Dolce Frégate Provence resort that has two superb courses – one 18-hole, the other 9-hole – overlooking the Mediterranean. A more spectacular and comfortable golf holiday you could not find.

In summary, our advice is to do your research thoroughly before booking your golf break. Think about what you want away from the course and the kind of accommodation you need. Rest assured, there is something for all budgets and tastes.

Tuesday, 14th, June by Katharine Barrau