golf, France, where to play, what to see, where to stay, information

Les Bordes in Sologne,
best course in France ?

Where to play ?
What to see ?
Where to stay ?
Informations

The Golf des Bordes is near the Loire river and its famous châteaux. One of the most if not the most prestigious, Chambord is at only 15 minutes drive from Les Bordes. But before going there, you have to cross the river Loire at Beaugency and you need to visit Blois.

Beaugency
It is an old city from the Middle Age; it was an important place because of his stony strong bridge, which is tightly linked to the history of the long wars between England and France.

In fact, in 1152, an important papal council took place at Beaugency to decide the annulment of the marriage of the French king Philippe 1st for misbehaviour of his wife Eleonora of Aquitania. After the rupture, Henri Platagenet, the future king of England, married Eleonora who brought in dowry to the Crown the large southwest province of Aquitania. The province will be British until 1453, at the end of the Hundred Year War.

The old stony bridge of Beaugency has been part of the French history. Between British and French during the Hundred Year War, between Catholics and Protestants during the Religion War and between the Royalists and the Republicans during the Revolution.

Blois
This small town is an ancient royal city located at about 30 minutes from Beaugency and his royal castle is its proud. In fact, after the Hundred Year War, the French Kings settled there and the influence of Blois over the country was as important as Versailles became it three centuries later.

The castle has been built in different parts as the kings went along but François 1st has been the most illustrious resident of the castle. He decided to build in the middle of the walls the large and magnificent octagonal staircase where people could stay to overlook at the high ranking figures entering the castle's square.

Chambord and Cheverny
It is still François 1st staying at Blois, who decided to build Chambord, the most important (440 room) of all the castles along the Loire. It was originally for deer hunting in the Sologne forests but he welcomed there some very important guests like the Emperor Carolus Quintus.
When the white and harmonious volume appears suddenly at a corner of the forest, it is very impressive and much more when it is at the sunrise or at the sunset. It makes you feel like climbing the stairs of the two majestic immense spiral staircases.

The story of Chambord is tormented but the castle revives it in the tourist season during the "sound and light" evening shows, which are performed just before the castle during all the tourism season. Hunting horns and barks are part with Lulli's operas and Moliere's plays to recreate for one hour the royal dream.

Chambord and Blois, royal houses, have been looted during the Revolution but Cheverny, near to Chambord, is still furnished as it was originally in the 17th. It is worth a visit as well as the pack of about forty hunting dogs.

And for those who like nature, they will appreciate walking or cycling along the Loire river or in the forests of Sologne and watch wild animals.

Beaugency's bridge

Chambord's castle

Rodin

Sologne's forest