Easily reachable by ferry, Brittany’s rugged cliffs provide a spectacular setting. Add to the bag delicious local seafood, long sandy beaches, nature reserves and a chateau or two and this region is heaven for golfers.
Easily reachable by ferry, Brittany’s rugged cliffs provide a spectacular setting for golf. Add to the bag delicious seafood, sandy beaches, nature reserves and a chateau or two and this region is heaven for golfers.
Links lovers may be interested to learn that Brittany has the longest coastline in France. Emerald green fairways run atop the region’s distinctive warm orange cliffs, fanned by exhilarating sea breezes.
Golf came to Brittany via Scotsman Tom Dunn who built the second oldest course in Dinard. Today the links at Dinard Golf Club is one of the best loved on the north coast. Featuring dunes, gorse and panoramic views it’s not difficult to imagine why Dunn felt so at home here. The noble clubhouse is a grand way to analyse and agonise over every shot taken on this superb track.
More wonderful views can be discovered at Pléneuf Val-André, a hilly but utterly memorable course which overlooks cliffs and twists inland through classic rolling green Breton countryside. Keeping out of the sand, especially when the wind is whipping across the Channel, is a major preoccupation if you want to avoid an embarrassing score.
Situated in the heart of the Emerald Coast between Rennes, Brittany’s capital city, and the popular tourist destination St Malo, is Des Ormes. This wooded parkland course compliments the high number of links Brittany is famous for and the 16th century chateau provides a reminder that this can’t be anywhere else than France. Narrow fairways, clever bunkering and frequent water hazards place a premium on accuracy rather than power, and when your round is over, relax on the terrace in front of the beautiful clubhouse that was formerly an outbuilding of the chateau.
La Freslonnière also lies near Rennes. The course isn’t the lengthiest but the holes are interesting with plenty of water creeping into play. Some of the holes run through a century old forest and flower-loving golfers should visit in May to see the magnificent rhododendrons at their best. The chateau that has apparently been occupied by the Fresion family since the 13th century provides another pleasant surprise and two rooms in the chateau are available for bed and breakfast.
No trip to France is complete without a visit to Mont St Michel, a small rocky island in Normandy, linked only by a narrow causeway, and home to an enchanting monastery that boasts impressive illuminations at night.
On the rugged west coast, Barriere La Baule offers some holes overlooking the Atlantic, plus some challenging holes running inland. There are two 18 hole courses – Bleu and Rouge and it’s debatable which is the better of the two. Both feature some wooded holes plus American style water features.
Just a few kilometres from La Baule and the beaches of Morbihan, in the heart of Brière regional park, is La Bretesche hotel and golf course. A fairytale chateau complete with turrets, towers, moat and adjoining lake, proudly lords it over the woodland course. Make a reservation for dinner in the Michelin starred restaurant because while it may be expensive it’s definitely worth it.
With such a variety of golf courses, plus cultural and outdoor activities to enjoy, booking a short break to Brittany is simply not long enough!
GETTING THERE
Britanny Ferries depart from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo, Plymouth to Roscoff, and from Poole to St Malo and Cherbourg. Alternatively, fly to Dinard for the coast, or for the south, Nantes with Ryanair.
WHERE TO PLAY
Green fee:
La Baule – E50-E81
La Bretesche from E50-E81
Dinard – E50-E90
Pléneuf Val-André – E38-E59
Golf de la Freslonnière – E44-E59
Des Ormes – E35-E59
NEED TO KNOW MORE
www.golf-brittanytourism.com for information on playing golf in Brittany
www.brittanytourism.com for tourist information including accommodation
