France

With over 700 golf courses, France is a serious golf country to visit. There are golf courses worth playing throughout France, many built by the golfing greats (including Harry Colt, Tom Simpson and Alister McKenzie) in the 1920s and 1930s. The main golfing regions are Paris & Normandy, Bordeaux/Biarritz and Provence. Without pre-existing contacts or an ability to both write and speak in French, attempting to organise a golf tour of France without professional assistance will prove a challenge.

Paris & Normandy

Paris is surrounded by many great courses although all are a 45 minute plus transfer from the centre of Paris. If basing yourself in Paris, we recommend the best golfing options as Le Golf National and Saint Germain (Harry Colt) but worth trying out the Jockey Club with its 2 courses.
Staying outside Paris is a good option and we recommend Chantilly. Apart from the two great golf courses at Chantilly Golf Club, there is also Morfontaine (Tom Simpson), the number one golf course in Europe. Also worth staying is south east of Paris and looking to play the many nearby courses including the fantastic Fontainebleau (another Tom Simpson design). Our favourite golf resort is Chateau Augerville.
Normandy, on the western coast of France, is a fantastic golfing area to base yourselves and to perhaps have a guided tour of the Normandy Beaches, a 100 km strip of coast made forever famous in June 1944. There are over 30 museums commemorating the Normandy Beach landings. We recommend playing Etretat with its stunning views and the two golf courses at Omaha Beach. However, there are many golfing options. When in Normandy, you must try Calvados, the famous apply brandy unique to the region.

Bordeaux & Biarritz

Bordeaux and Biarritz (both located in the south west corner of France) is an easy fast train ride from Paris or direct flight.
Bordeaux is a fantastic historic city and was where the French Government moved when Paris was threatened by invading armies. Bordeaux has many nearby courses but the best three to play are the Chateaux and Vignes courses at Golf du Medoc and St Emilionnais (a recent Tom Doak design). We have many excellent hotels to recommend.
Biarritz is an easy 2 hour drive south of Bordeaux and sits just north of the Spanish border. There are worthwhile courses to play with many built in the 1930s but subsequently upgraded. Our favourites are Le Phare (Harry Colt), Chiberta (Tom Simpson), Seignosse (Robert von Hagge) and Arcangues.
Our recommended 5 star accommodation is the historic and magnificently located Hotel du Palais

Provence

While there are countless great hotels to stay and golf courses to play, we recommend you base yourselves near Cannes and consider splitting your time between Cannes and staying at the nearby Terre Blanche with its two magnificent and highly rated courses. Apart from being a great city on the French Riviera, Cannes is the ideal base to play the best golf courses in the Provence region.