Le Golf in France

A golf holiday in France is easy with Brittany Ferries. With the largest choice of crossings to France, you can mix and match your route, with journey times from just three hours to relaxed overnight cruising. Just pack your clubs, drive to the port, onto the ferry, off again at the other side and straight on to your accommodation or golf course. Hassle-free travel and a great game of golf await.

Le Golf

Golf was introduced to France by English expats who built the country’s first golf course in 1856 in Pau, marrying the British game of Kings to French art de Vivre. Since then golf has slowly become more popular. And, though Paris’s hosting of the Ryder Cup in 2018 bought a boost to French golf tourism – you’ll still find plenty of room on France’s impressive 772 golf courses.

A game of golf in France is a relaxed affair. You can expect an unhurried pace of play on uncrowded fairways and most golf courses welcome visitors (and some even allow dogs). There are no long waiting lists, it’s inexpensive, some clubs don’t require players to have handicaps, and booking a tee-off time is easy and year round. Plus, if you don’t speak French don’t worry – golf is le golf, a birdie is a birdie, a green is a green and a driver is a driver!

Whether you’re teeing off from the foot of a castle, surrounded by vineyards or admiring the sea views. With such an abundance of courses to suit every budget, each French golfing break will be different from the next.

Golf and tourism

There are loads of excellent golfing opportunities close to Brittany Ferry ports in Normandy and Brittany plus a little further on in the Western Loire. But, a golfing break in France isn’t just about the greens, it’s about the French lifestyle. Indulging in fine foods, wonderful wines, soaking up the atmosphere in historic towns and postcard picture perfect villages, visiting glorious museums, authentic markets or simply sitting at a café people watching, with a glass of something perfectly chilled.

With almost 50 golf courses in Normandy, this region is perfect for golfers of all styles. From the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to the Alabaster coast, Perche to the Seine valley, the Cherbourg peninsula to the Pays d'Auge there’s something to please everyone. The 18-hole Omaha Beach Golf Club Mer features holes named after WWII figures and boasts spectacular views of the D-Day Landing beaches. And Deauville-Saint-Gatien Golf Club is famous for its varied courses and spectacular clubhouse. Combined with visits to the wonderful beaches, countryside brimming with apple orchards and ancient towns with half-timbered houses, plus the region’s fabulous gastronomy you are guaranteed a holiday to remember.

Brittany boasts more than 40 golf courses including Dinard Golf, the second oldest club in France. It’s a traditional links course designed by renowned Scottish architect Tom Dunn in 1887 and offers spectacular views on the ocean and the Emerald coast. Away from the course, there’s loads to do, from relaxing on the beach, hiking and cycling, to exploring the beautiful countryside of rolling meadows peppered with lively towns and picturesque villages. Lovers of history and culture will love the postcard pretty towns awarded “Petit Cité de Caractère”. Don’t miss Rochefort-en-Terre, voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, Léhon, a short walk from the perfectly preserved medieval marvel, fairy- tale-like Dinan and Josselin with its majestic chateau.

Further south the golf courses of the Loire Atlantique coast in the Atlantic Loire Valley are something of an undiscovered secret. St Jean de Monts Golf Club is regularly ranked in the top 30 most beautiful courses in France. Sitting at the edge of the sea and featuring a forest of pines it offers spectacular views. Combine your visit with a seaside break at the resort of St Jean de Monts or La Baule, listed as one of the world most beautiful bays. Or head inland to the enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of the Parc Naturel Régional de Brièr and the historic city of Nantes.

Or you could drive further afield. The South of France is a real favourite with golfers and is easily reached by car. Stop to visit some of the fabulous cities, towns and villages along the way. With sun-kissed resorts and golf courses from Biarritz and Bordeaux to Provence and the Cote d’Azur, what’s not to love.

Or how about the Loire Valley and a game of golf surrounded by ancient vineyards in the shadow of a chateau? Or Champagne, where a hole in one must surely be celebrated with a glass of bubbles. Even Paris, easily reached by an excellent autoroute, with several excellent golf courses such as at the Gold du Bois de Boulogne in the city. Nearby Chantilly has there are three magnificent golf courses. And, of course it’s a chance to pop into the chateau and indulge with a dessert smothered in the famous Chantilly cream.

Gourmet Golfers

No golf holiday in France would be complete without a 19th hole stop – and golf courses in France are renowned for their fine foods and wine. A good game certainly builds up an appetite and as western France is famed for its gastronomic specialities your only difficulty will be choosing where to eat out and what to pick. From the luscious ciders of Normandy and Brittany, sweet or savoury crêpes, Camembert and Calvados, succulent seafood and juicy oysters from Cancale and wines from the Loire – what better way to refuel after a round of golf?

Sail and stay

Brittany Ferries make it easy to sail to France, and from their ports, you’ll find it’s simple to travel further afield with a superb road network that takes you to the four corners of France. They also offer a great range of holiday accommodation. From cottages, gites, villas and resorts, to hand-picked hotels. A Brittany Ferries Holiday is super easy to plan and book - and it’s also great value as return sailings with your car are included in the price.

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