If you’re looking for a trip to Europe without the hassle of flying, a golf holiday in France is the perfect choice. It’s great for a quick weekend golf getaway, and with the option to bring your own car, transporting your clubs has never been easier.
Golf trips to France offer a bit of everything. From world-class courses to character-filled hotels, there’s plenty to explore – making it difficult to choose the right trip.
To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of our favourite golf courses in France – take a look and start planning your next golf adventure today.
France at a Glance
- Location: France is in Western Europe, just across the English Channel from the UK. It has land borders with Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain.
- Closest Airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the closest airport for Le Golf National as well as the Le Touquet region – a popular spot for a golf getaway. It’s worth noting Le Touquet is about a 2.5-hour journey by train or car. For golf trips to Northern France, taking Le Shuttle or the ferry tends to be the more convenient and preferred travel option.
- Flight Time: Flight time from the UK to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is approximately 1.5 hours, although it can vary depending on which UK airport you depart from.
- Channel Crossing Time: Folkestone to Calais by Le Shuttle is approximately 35 minutes.
- Ferry Crossing Time: Dover to Calais by ferry is approximately 1.5 hours.
- Best Time to Travel: April to June and September to early October are the most popular times to take a golf break. However, the summer months are also popular, especially in Northern France where the temperature is cooler than Southern France.
- Climate: Summer has highs between 19° and 21° – perfect for a day on the fairways! Bear in mind, it can often get quite hot in the summer.
Best Golf Courses in France
La Mer Course at Le Touquet Golf Club
La Mer Course at Le Touquet Golf Club is a true links masterpiece, located by the coast in Northern France. Designed by Harry Colt, this championship course features rolling dunes, tricky bunkers, and coastal winds that challenge golfers of all levels.
This course has hosted The French Open six times, the most recent one in 1977 when Seve Ballesteros won.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 71
- Designer: Harry S. Colt
- Opened: 1931
Le Forêt Course at Le Touquet Golf Club
Le Touquet Golf Club is also home to Le Forêt course, the older of the two courses on-site. Tucked away in a serene pine forest, this course offers a more sheltered golfing experience compared to the exposed, windswept fairways of La Mer.
Le Forêt’s classic design and peaceful atmosphere make it a favourite among golfers of all abilities.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Horace Hutchinson
- Opened: 1904
Les Dunes Course at Hardelot Golf Club
Les Dunes course at Hardelot Golf Club in Northern France is a scenic 18-hole track set amidst picturesque lakes, rolling sand dunes, and peaceful forest surroundings.
Crafted by Paul Rolin and Jean-Claude Cornillot, this modern course is a must-play for any golf trip to the region.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 71
- Designer: Paul Rolin
- Opened: 1991
Le Pins Course at Hardelot Golf Club
The Pas de Calais region in Northern France is home to Hardelot’s other 18-hole gem, Le Pins. Surrounded by a stunning pine forest and framed by coastal dunes, this picturesque course offers a scenic and rewarding golf experience that doesn’t disappoint!
- Holes: 18
- Par: 71
- Designer: Tom Simpson
- Opened: 1931
Albatross Course at Le Golf National
Located southwest of central Paris, Le Golf National opened its doors in October 1990 after three years of construction. The club features 45 holes, but its standout attraction is the Albatross Course – an 18-hole, par-72 masterpiece with an impressive legacy, having previously hosted the Ryder Cup and the Summer Olympic Games.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Hubert Chesneau (Renovated by European Golf Design in 2015)
- Opened: 1990
Other Things to do in France
If you’re staying at the Novotel Saint-Quentin en Yvelines at Le Golf National, why not take a day trip into central Paris? Spend your day shopping along the iconic Champs-Élysées, climb the Eiffel Tower for breathtaking views, and admire the world-famous Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum.
For those considering a stay in Northern France, be sure to explore the stunning Opal Coast (Côte d’Opale) which stretches over 75 miles and faces the English Channel. This scenic coastline is home to a diverse landscape made up of sandy beaches, rolling dunes, swamps, estuaries, and dramatic cliffs.
Just a short 20-minute drive from Le Touquet, you’ll find the charming town of Montreuil-sur-Mer – an ideal spot for a leisurely day out. Stroll along its medieval ramparts, wander the cobblestone streets, and stop by one of the many cafés or bistros to sample some fabulous French cuisine.
Alternatively, if you’re in Southern France, consider a day trip to Monaco. Enjoy coffee at a chic café, dine at a stylish restaurant, and take a leisurely walk around the harbour, where luxury yachts line the glistening waters.
Top 5 Travel Tips for Your France Golf Holiday
- Plan Your Route: If you’re planning a golf trip to Northern France or the Paris region, travelling via the Channel Tunnel is an excellent option – especially if you’re based near Folkestone, where you can board Le Shuttle. The journey takes just 35 minutes to reach Calais.
Alternatively, you can catch a ferry from Dover for a scenic crossing. If your golf break takes you further afield, such as to the south of France, flights are available from most UK airports.
- Check Golf Bag Transportation Rules: Airlines and ferry companies have varying rules for transporting your golf equipment so make sure you check what is included when booking with each company. Irrespective of how you get to France, ensure you have a sturdy travel bag for your golf clubs so they don’t get damaged in transit.
- Book Early for Best Availability & Tee Times: As we always recommend when planning a golf holiday, it’s best to book well in advance to secure your ideal accommodation and tee times. The Le Touquet region in France is particularly popular with Parisians looking for a weekend escape, earning it the nickname ‘Paris by the Sea’ (Paris Plage). As a result, the top hotels in the area tend to fill up quickly, especially during the busy summer months.
- Pre-Reserve Buggies: If you think you’ll need buggies for any rounds of golf you plan to play in France, let us know ahead of time so that we can reserve them for you. Given the popularity of the courses, they can often sell out.
- Group Discounts: While smaller groups or pairs can still find great-value golf deals in France, larger groups often benefit from even better discounts, such as 1 in 8 green fees free at selected courses. Plus, if you’re driving via Le Shuttle, you pay per car rather than per person, so the more people you fit in, the cheaper the journey becomes for everyone.
Top Golf Holiday Deals: Play Some of France’s Most Popular Golf Courses
We have cherry-picked the most popular golf breaks in France for you to consider:
- Le Manoir Hotel
- Hotel Barriere Le Westminster
- The Red Fox Hotel
- Novotel Saint Quentin Golf National
- Hotel Hermitage Montreuil-sur-Mer
- Hotel Bristol
About Glencor Golf
For expert advice and tailored guidance on booking your perfect golf trip to France, call our experienced and well-travelled team at Glencor Golf Holidays today on 01904 406550 or email info@glencorgolf.com so we can put you on the fairways!
