The 15 Best Golf Courses to Play in France
When you think of France, golf might not be the first thing you think of. Your mind probably jumps to croissants, world-class wine, and laid-back afternoons along the Seine. The thing is, France also plays host to some spectacular golf as well. From windswept coastal links to tree-lined fairways tucked beside châteaux, the country offers a golf experience that’s as rich and varied as its cuisine.
In this blog, we’ll discover the 15 best courses in France. Our experts have carefully curated this list through personal recommendations, feedback from our guests, and global rankings.
What’s new in 2026?
- Le Golf National reopened in September with redesigned holes 4 to 6
- The Vineuil Old Course at Chantilly was restored
- Golf du Médoc has been renamed to Cabot Bordeaux
- Haeran Ryu won the 2026 Evian Championship
1. Golf de Morfontaine
If you are one of the lucky golfers who is able to get on Morfontaine, it is an opportunity you can’t let pass you by. This Tom Simpson turn-of-the-century beauty is a wonderful experience. The course is simply described as exquisite, understated, and timeless, and certainly the type you could play every day for the rest of your life. Unmistakably amongst the best in all of France.
Opened: 1927
Par: 70
Length: 6,454 yards
Designers include: Tom Simpson
Difficulty: Slope 110 / Rating 70.0
2. Les Bordes Golf Club – New Course
This new Gil Hanse design opened recently but already has rave reviews across the golf landscape. While the course is very private, they are actively selling memberships.
This course is a masterclass in modern minimalism; this newer sibling to the Old Course blends natural forest with strategic bunkering and exceptional shot values. It’s already among Europe’s elite.
Opened: 2021
Par: 72
Length: 7,285 yards
Designers include: Gil Hanse (2020)
Difficulty: Slope 131 / Rating 74.9
3. Chantilly Vineuil
Chantilly Vineuil is one of France’s great classic courses and a must play for golfers visting France. Founded in 1909 and originally designed by English Open champion J.H. Taylor, the course was substantially reworked by Tom Simpson in 1920. Its fairways are tree-lined with strategically placed bunkers and fast-running surfaces give it an almost English feel. The closing holes provide a memorable finish. Vineuil has hosted the French Open 10 times, from 1913 through 1990.
Opened: 1909
Par: 72
Length: 6,400 yards
Designers include: J.H. Taylor (1909), Tom Simpson (1920)
4. Paris International Club
Jack Nicklaus’ only course in France, Paris International was carved from the Montmorency Forest just north of Paris. The parkland layout winds through the course, creating the classic Nicklaus risk-reward challenge. This is a private club with a strong reputation among France’s leading courses.
Opened: 1991
Par: 72
Length: 6,837 yards
Designers include: Jack Nicklaus
Difficulty: Slope 143 / Rating 73.6
5. Fontainebleau Golf Club
Another Tom Simpson gem, Fontainebleau is as enchanting as its setting – a former royal hunting forest just outside Paris. With tree-lined fairways, dramatic rock outcroppings, and impeccable maintenance, it’s a course that combines natural beauty with strategic brilliance.
Opened: 1909
Par: 72
Length: 6,729 yards
Designers include: Tom Simpson (1920), Fred Hawtree (1963), Simon Gidman
Difficulty: Slope 141 / Rating 72.0
6. Saint-Germain Golf Club
Designed by the legendary Harry Colt, Saint-Germain is pure classic golf. Located just west of Paris, it channels the heathland spirit of England with pine-lined fairways and fast-running turf. A regular host of the French Open, it’s a course that balances tradition, challenge, and grace in all the right ways.
Opened: 1922
Par: 72
Length: 6,686 yards
Designers include: H. S. Colt (1922) Stuart Hallett
Difficulty: Slope 131 / Rating 72.7
7. Les Aisses
A 2010 redesign by Martin Hawtree skyrocketed this sandy based course up French rankings. Aisses offers a rugged, heathland-style experience rarely found on the continent. Wide fairways framed by purple heather and sandy soil evoke the great British classics, yet it still feels distinctly French. A beautiful blend of power and precision.
Opened: 1992
Par: 72
Length: 6,648 yards
Designers include: Olivier Brizon (1992), Martin Hawtree (2010)
Difficulty: Slope 140 / Rating 74.8
8. Les Bordes – Old Course
Robert Von Hagge’s original course is quite difficult and demanding, but a lovely walk through the forest at one of Europe’s elite clubs. Dramatic bunkering, undulating fairways, and demanding green complexes create a formidable test, while the secluded setting through the Sologne forest gives the course a distinctive feel.
Opened: 1987
Par: 72
Length: 7,009 yards
Designers include: Robert Von Hagge (1987)
Difficulty: Slope 166 / Rating 78.8
9. Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort – Le Château Course
A Dave Thomas design through rolling hills and rocky landscape, and quite simply full of golf eye candy. The resort is spectacular, and the Château course is in our opinion among Europe’s top resort courses.
Opened: 2004
Par: 72
Length: 7,235 yards
Designers include: Dave Thomas (2004)
Difficulty: Slope 150 / Rating 78.1
10. Le Golf National – Albatros Course
Host of the 2018 Ryder Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games, Le Golf National is a bold, risk-reward layout full of drama, water hazards, and tournament-level challenge. After nearly two years of work, the Albatros reopened to the public in 2026 with a significant redesign of holes 4, 5, and 6, along with remodeled greens, redesigned bunkers, and new teeing grounds.
The course hosted the 2026 FedEx Open de France. Matt Fitzpatrick claimed the title by three strokes, earning his 11th DP World Tour victory. Just outside Paris, the Albatros remains open to the public, offering golfers the opportunity to experience one of France’s most accomplished courses.
Opened: 1990
Par: 71
Length: 7,271 yards
Designers include: Robert von Hagge (1990) Hubert Chesneau (1990) Ross McMurray (2018) Pierre Thevenin (1990)
Difficulty: Slope 155 / Rating 76.9
11. Grand Saint-Émilionnais Golf Club
Nestled in the wine-rich hills near Bordeaux, this is Tom Doak’s first French design. Grand Saint-Émilionnais looks like it has been there 100 years and is a glorious walk (or ride) through the countryside, near some of the most valued wine growing regions in the world.
Opened: 2015
Par: 72
Length: 6,765 yards
Designers include: Tom Doak (2015) Eric Iverson
Difficulty: Slope 139
12. Cabot Bordeaux – Châteaux Course
Bill Coore of Coore & Crenshaw fame routed this wine country course, designed to play firm and fast and almost links-like. Along with its sister Cabot Vignes course on the property, this is a property that is only rising in the ranks of French golf. This course is the perfect pair with a visit through France’s iconic wine region.
Opened: 1989
Par: 72
Length: 7,192 yards
Designers include: Bill Coore, Rod Whitman (1989)
Difficulty: Slope 134 / Rating 73.6
13. Chiberta
Chiberta is one of France’s rare true links, combining sandy seaside terrain with an inland section through pine forest. The course dates to the 1920s and was created at the request of the Duke of Windsor.
Opened: 1927
Par: 70
Length: 6,175 yards
Designers include: Tom Simpson (1927); Stuart Hallett (restoration)
Difficulty: Slope 135 / Rating 76.5
14. Hardelot – Les Pins
Les Pins winds through sandy dunes and mature pine forest on France’s Opal Coast. The course has been carefully restored to recover Tom Simpson’s original character, including its strategic bunkering and subtle, contoured greens. The result is a classic British-style layout that rewards accuracy and thoughtful course management.
Opened: 1934
Par: 71
Length: 6,480 yards
Designers include: Tom Simpson (1934); Frank Pont & Patrice Boissonnas (restoration)
15. Evian Resort Golf Club
If mountain golf is appealing to you, then this Cabell Robinson track ticks all the boxes! Home of The Amundi Evian Championship, it features mountain vistas, spectacular views over Lake Geneva, with slick greens and major-tournament flair.
Opened: 1904
Par: 72
Length: 6,693 yards
Designers include: Dave Sampson
Difficulty: Slope 145 / Rating 72.7
How to Plan a Golf Trip in France
Paris is an ideal base for combining world-class golf with the history, culture, and attractions of the French capital. Courses such as Chantilly, Fontainebleau, Saint-Germain, and Le Golf National are all within reach, while Les Bordes can be easily added for a more exclusive experience.
Paris is also be paired with a trip through Normandy and Brittany, where golfers can combine history, coastal scenery, and courses like Étretat.
A golf trip through Bordeaux is a natural choice for travelers who want to combine golf with wine, food, and coastal destinations. The region’s renowned vineyards sit alongside courses such as Grand Saint-Émilionnais, while extending west toward the Atlantic for more courses.
Further south, the French Riviera offers another distinct golf experience, pairing Mediterranean scenery with courses like Terre Blanche.
France at a Glance
| Course | Region | Access |
| Golf de Morfontaine | Oise, north of Paris | Private |
| Les Bordes New Course | Sologne / Loire Valley | Private |
| Fontainebleau | Seine-et-Marne | Private (Visitor Access) |
| Chantilly Vineuil | Oise, north of Paris | Private (Weekday Visitor Access) |
| Paris International Club | Val-d’Oise, north of Paris | Private |
| Saint-Germain | West of Paris | Private (Visitor-accessible by reservation) |
| Les Bordes Old | Sologne / Loire Valley | Private |
| Cabot Bordeaux Châteaux | Bordeaux / Gironde | Resort / Visitor accessible |
| Terre Blanche | Var / Côte d’Azur | Resort / Restricted access |
| Le Golf National | Southwest of Paris / Guyancourt | Public |
| Les Aisses | Loire Valley / near Orléans | Public |
| Grand Saint-Émilionnais | Bordeaux / Saint-Émilion | Semi-private (Visitor Access) |
| Hardelot Les Pins | Côte d’Opale / Pas-de-Calais | Public |
| Evian Resort | Haute-Savoie / French Alps | Resort / Visitor accessible |
| Étretat | Seine-Maritime / Normandy coast | Public |
How to Play France’s Private Courses
Some of France’s most prestigious golf courses are private, with access limited to members and their guests. While we can’t guarantee access to all of France’s most sought-after courses, few destinations offer the same combination of exceptional golf and cultural experiences. France offers the opportunity to craft one of Europe’s most rewarding golf itineraries.
Premier Golf can advise on which courses are accessible to visiting golfers and help arrange tee times and the logistics around your rounds, making it possible to experience some of France’s most exclusive layouts.
Start Planning Your Trip
France has an extensive golf history and an impressive range of regions, courses, and experiences to choose from, which can make planning your trip feel overwhelming. Our experts can help refine your itinerary, connect the right courses and destinations, and make the most of your time in France.
Since 1988, Premier Golf has been helping travelers create memorable golf trips around the world. Whether you’re traveling as a group of just golfers or as a mixed-interest group looking to experience one of Europe’s most historic countries, we can help build an itinerary around the experiences that matter most to you.
FAQs
France has a variety of golf-rich regions, each with its own charm. Around Paris, you’ll find iconic courses like Morfontaine and Le Golf National.
The Loire Valley is home to forested layouts such as Les Bordes, while the south offers sun-soaked resort courses like Terre Blanche. For wine lovers, Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion combine world-class golf with vineyards.
The best time to play is spring (April–June) and early fall (September–October) when the weather is mild, courses are in peak condition, and crowds are lighter.
Summer (July–August) can be hot, especially in the southern region, and some areas are busier with tourists.
Golf in France can be surprisingly affordable. Mid-range courses often charge between €40 and €80, while top public and resort courses range from €80 to €150. Ultra-exclusive clubs like Les Bordes or Morfontaine are more expensive and may require connections or membership. Many courses also offer discounted twilight rates or specials during the offseason.
The standout club that provides the simplest access is Le Golf National’s Albatros course. As host of the 2018 Ryder Cup and numerous French Opens, it offers the chance to play one of Europe’s best-known championship courses without needing a private-club connection. Tee times are available to visiting golfers, making it one of the easiest ways to add a high-level round to a Paris golf itinerary.
Facilities in France vary by course, but many offer excellent amenities. You’ll typically find practice ranges, short game areas, pro shops, and good dining options, often with a French culinary twist. High-end resorts may include spas, pools, and luxury accommodations, while older private clubs tend to be more understated but still offer warm hospitality and charm.
France has hosted several major tournaments. Le Golf National is home to the French Open, the 2018 Ryder Cup, and the 2024 Olympic golf competition. The Evian Resort hosts the Amundi Evian Championship, one of women’s golf’s five majors.
Le Golf National is a public-access golf club. Its Albatros and Aigle courses are available to golfers on a green-fee basis, including players without a French Golf Federation license.
Yes. France is an excellent destination for golfers traveling with a non-golfing companion. Beyond its world-class courses, the country offers many opportunities for cultural immersion, sightseeing, dining, and exploring its rich history, making it easy to build an itinerary that appeals to everyone.
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