Abingdon Living Mar - Apr 2021

THE REBIRTH OF LES BORDES
Globally recognised for being home to one of the world’s most
prestigious golf clubs, the new owners of Les Bordes have devoted
the last two years to delivering new life into France’s famed Loire
Valley region as the estate has quietly entered an eagerly awaited
new chapter in its history...
Only a 90-minute drive from Paris and
spread across 1,400 acres of mythical
Sologne Forest, significant investment
since 2018, embraced by nature and a
sense of community and connectivity.
The Loire Valley is already recognised as
a UNESCO World Heritage region famous
for its historic chateaux, medieval towns,
fine wine, cuisine and breath-taking
landscape, and the owners, the principals
of RoundShield Partners and a few
outside partners, have moved quickly to
invest in their Les Bordes masterplan.
New family facilities have already been
delivered across the estate including a
natural swimming lake with a white sand
beach, enhanced equestrian facilities,
boating lakes, archery, fishing, cycle and
electric quad paths and a new tennis
centre. Younger family members can
experience a petting farm, go-kart track,
pony riding and adventure playgrounds,
with a kids’ club, ice-cream shop and zip
lines coming on stream this winter.
On the golfing side, spring 2021 will
herald the opening of a much anticipated
second 18-hole golf course, with the
owners having secured the services of
globally acclaimed American architect
Gil Hanse – who created the 2016 Rio
Olympic Course and world top-100
courses Castle Stuart and Ohoopee
Match Club – for what is his debut
original design project in continental
Europe.
Hanse is also lauded for his restoration
work including three of the next four US
Open venues – Winged Foot, The Country
Club and The Los Angeles Country Club
– and has already completed work on an
accompanying 10-hole short course at
30 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk