NEVER THOUGHT OF FRANCE AS A GOLF DESTINATION?
THINK AGAIN!!!




















By MARC ATCHISON

PARIS – The rolling French landscape, historic landmarks, grand chateaus, year-round playing conditions and more than 500 golf courses that rival many this side of the ocean is quickly turning France into the newest golf Mecca.

Let’s start with the Saint Donat Golf Club, located outside the perfume capital of Grasse on the French Rivera in the area known as the Cote d’Azur. This par 71, 6,031-yard masterpiece mirrors North America courses – and for good reason.  It was crafted by famed American designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. Championship quality with French flair! The one thing that makes Saint Donat different from anything else you’ll play in the world is the remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct that now forms part of the club’s driving range. Simply amazing!

And then of course, there is the food. As you approach the clubhouse, the air is spiked with gourmet smells, where a “chef” prepares meals swimming in delicate sauces and comes accompanied by freshly baked bread dripping with local olive oil.

Now that I’ve awoken your hunger for French golf, let me introduce you to what many believe is the country’s best course, Paris International, designed by legendary Jack Nicklaus, who is quickly replacing Jerry Lewis as France’s favorite American.

Located in the quaint village of Baillet, just outside the capital - at 18 Route du Golf (but of course) - Paris International is a joy to play. This 7,100 yard gem is best described as the “bold and beautiful”. It snakes through lush forest, dips into dramatic valleys and sits in the shadow of a grand clubhouse that dates back to the days of Napoleon. The two turrets connected to the clubhouse are where golfers can stay for about $100 a night – the club even has a swimming pool.




















Every hole on this course is a delight but the 13th featuring a fountain and pond has a story all its own. The chateau has a bit of a dark side – the Belgian industrialist who owns it was once kidnapped and the abductors mailed his severed ear back to his family. The man was later released and the 13th hole now occupies space where the chateau’s garden once stood.

But at Paris International, they save the best for last. The 18th hole ranks among the best in all of Europe – a par-5, 500-plus yard beauty that can easily be reached in two thanks to the generous ride your ball gets along the sloped fairway. However, the island green that waits challenges a golfer’s short game and nerves. This is one hole you can easily birdie … or bogie.
There are more than 60 courses located near Paris so playing golf is also a great way to see some of the country’s historic treasures, like the Domaine de Belesbat in the small town of Courdimanche-sur-Essonne, a short train ride from Paris.

The 17th century chateau, complete with a moat, was where a French king once hid one of his mistresses. Today, it houses one of France’s best hotels and golf courses, a 6,800-yard, par-72 stunner, whose back nine is an excellent test, featuring many water hazards. The hotel has a great restaurant and this would be a great place to escape – even if you aren’t
passionate about golf.

In Fontainebleau, the historic
city where the deposed
Napoleon bade farewell to
France from the balcony of his
ornate palace, you’ll the
Fontainebleau golf course,
absolutely one of the courses
in the Paris area. It’s rated
among the top 10 in France
and is a short drive from
Domaine de Belesbat.

If you are willing to travel a bit
further, lastly, let us
recommend Chateau de
Cely-en-Biere located in the
charming town of Cely which
was once a beer producing
town. Another leftover from the Japanese ‘development’ era Cely is still relatively unknown to tourists, mainly because of its remote location. That means the course welcomes less than 16,000 golfers a year so the conditions there are almost always perfect.

Whether you choose to stay in Paris or venture further a field, here is the piece de resistance! France only has about 350,000 registered golfers so securing a tee time is never a problem.

One trip to France and you’ll agree – golf there is par excellence!

For more information on France go to www.paris-ile-de-france.com

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Marc Atchison is the former Travel and Golf Editor of Canada’s largest daily newspaper, The Toronto Star.  More of Marc’s stories are also available on www.tnnworld.com