FRANCE
Till 1856, more than 550 courses
France is smaller than the Texas State area in the United States but twice larger than England 's. France counts more then 550 golf courses, England more than 1800, we don't talk about Texas .
Mainly Anglo-Saxons, even British or American, don't consider France as part of the golf countries. "Oh! you are French and you play golf?" or "Are they golf courses in France ?" are frequent perfidies. Maybe less since Jean Van de Velde, then Thomas Levet were nearly to grap the famous "Jaret" of the British Open.
Even so, the first French golf course in Pau - where Henri IV was born - got its first holes in 1856 and its British "Club House" in 1880! Thanks to a Scottish garrison which was staying there!
But each year thousands of British (and North European) golfers cross the Channel to go and play at Deauville, Chamonix, Biarritz or Cannes on championship courses designed by the Trent Jones, Palmer, Nicklaus or van Hagge which Bordes golf course, in the Sologne bushes near the Chambord château is ranked n'°1 par American tourist golfers, readers of Golf Digest.
As usual, there are people who know and know how to appreciate. And for those who want to discover golf courses in France , here are some destinations:
 Biarritz, the French capital for golf
Les Bordes in Sologne, best course in France
Emerald Coast
Omaha Beach to Deauville, greens in flower
Provence, prestige golf-hotel
Sophia Antipolis, golf science in a science park
Terre Blanche at Fayence to be French Fancourt?
|
|
In Paris, Jean van de Valde performing a golf demonstration on the Champ de Mars with Eiifel Tower in background.
 Golfing in the mountains
along the seas
or next to a château
|
REPORTS | GOLFNOTES | ARCHIVES | E-MAIL 
