GOLF ESCAPES

Short Haul: France
The Majorhosting
course
at Evian.
pLaY THE bEsT
Of fRaNcE WiTH
PRIVATE goLf kEy
PGK are an ofcial travel operator
specialising in golf. They have access to
ALL French courses, even the most
prestigious, and propose concierge
services for clients seeking to
discover hidden France. Visit
privategolfkey.com
and luxury, and go here in August and it is
clear to see why it is so popular with British
families on holiday.
Other excellent options in the French
Riviera include St Endreol, which boasts a
fine golf course as well as spa and treatment
facilities, tennis courts, a jogging trail,
restaurant, bar and café, as well as a healthy
dash of Provencal art de vivre.
The final venue in this trio of resorts in
Provenceis Barbaroux, set in a magnificent
woodland and stretching across 215 acres.
This resort has a prestigious course
designed by Pete Dye and PB Dye.
Last but by no means least is the Evian
Resort, further north on the border with
Switzerland on the banks of Lake Geneva.
This is one of Europe’s finest venues,
with tonnes of charm and opulence as well
as a course that has been revised to great
effect and now hosts a Major in the ladies’
game. The views here are sensational.
Why not make it a family trip to France?
You can go to France and do nothing but
play golf, rest, travel and play a bit more
golf. But France can offer a lot more than
that. Here are four options in the key parts
of the country to combine with golf and
make a great trip for families and couples.
QUICK GUIDE
THE CLIMATE
France can of course have harsh
winters – it is a key ski destination after
all. But it is also blessed with long,
warm summers that start in May and
eventually disappear in late September.
TIME DIFFERENCE GMT +1
QUICK TIP If you drive to France you’ll
need a hi-vis vest, a GB sticker on your
car (or GB on your number plate) and a
red warning triangle.
1 Around Paris
A brilliant way to combine a family holiday
with a chance to play some of Europe’s best
courses. Stay at Crecy in the east of Paris
and enjoy EuroDisney next door. Then
travel to the centre to visit Tour Eiffel,
Champs Elysses, L’Arc Triomphe, Notre
Dame, the Sacre Couer et al.
2 In the south east
A day in Monaco; walk the iconic Formula
One track in the fabled Principality, visit
the casino and gaze at the opulence of it all.
Just don’t expect a cheap lunch!
3 In the south west
Millions of Christians flock to Lourdes,
whose most sacred site is the Cave of
Apparitions. Pilgrims immerse themselves
in the allegedly healing waters.
4 In the north west
Naussica is Europe’s largest aquarium on
the outskirts of Boulogne and houses
almost everything that lies under the water.
40 GOLF ESCAPES 2015