France Attractions

Loire-Atlantique was associated with Brittany for long time so the region has its influence on culture as well as atmosphere. Loire-Atlantique is the seaward region in north-east region of France. It has wide range of landscapes, wide sand beaches and ancient forests that attract the tourist to spend their holidays while enjoying water sports and beach walk. One can learn about the history of the region with fine chateau, castles and modern defensive systems. One can investigate about the lost stations while walking on the coastal paths. The Loire-Atlantique is a very popular region of France for holiday rentals with a wide choice of rental properties with places to see and things for all the family to sample and do.

The fine beaches of the region have rocky outcrops and secluded sandy bays that are perfect for water sports. The wide sandy beaches attract both locals and visitors for sailing, windsurfing and kite-boarding. One can see equipment hire stations and schools on the beaches for providing assistance to the tourists. The rich fishing heritage in Loire-Atlantique give great opportunity to the tourists to enjoy both deep sea and fresh water fishing. One can enjoy the Canal Boat Trips in the 'Canal de Nantes' that was constructed by Napoleon during war. One can then stop off at Blain castle and see the art museum there. The adventure loving people will have great fun during these trips. The city offer different activities for the tourists like canoeing in the Vallee du Don and playing golf in any of the department's 9 courses.

The Loire-Atlantique has golf courses on the windswept coastline, in the undulating hills and in the woodland forests of the interior region. The golfers can enjoy and move around the region during the stay in Loire-Atlantique accommodation. There are both 18-hole courses and a 9-hole course that are set amongst chestnut and oak woods. The local markets of the region give the experience of the hustle and bustle of a typical French provincial market. The local producers and artisans of various products sell their wares to both local people and to the inevitable tourist.

The markets at La Roche-Bernard on Thursday, Guerande on Saturday and Penestin on Sunday are more popular. Take your local produce back to the gite or have lovely picnic in beautiful surroundings of this area of France. The children can enjoy different things in the region like children aquariums at Vannes and at Le Croisic with a walkthrough perspex tunnel. One can enjoy the wildlife at Branfere, a lovely park where animals roam freely or at Planete Sauvage which is a safari park. The tourists can enjoy their holiday in Nantes, a friendly capital city on the way to Loire-Atlantique. The glorious parks, magnificent restaurants and fantastic shopping markets can be enjoyed within the city. It is a unique city center that has Art-Nouveau squares, churches, museums and chic bars.

The Historical Nantes can be seen at the Cathedrale St-Pierre et St-Paul where one can see sculpted Gothic portals and Renaissance tomb of Francois II. Clisson is a town with distinctly Italian feel with Neo-Classical villas which was restored after the Vendee Wars. One can also discover the colorful flowerbeds, fountains and California redwoods in botanical gardens at Nantes. So come to Loire-Atlantique where along with sightseeing one can do so many activities like swimming, canoeing, golfing and shopping. Families come to the Loire-Atlantique region of France to rent villas and gites and use it as a base to explore this beautiful diverse region of France.

Everyone who visits France talks about the exquisite beauty of the country. From the charming smaller villages around Alsace and Provence, to the culture and bustle of Paris, France’s aesthetics cannot be called into question. It’s no surprise then that compiling a list of the most beautiful golf courses in France was pretty easy – narrowing it down to the best 10 was the hard part!

So here they are: the top 10 most beautiful golf courses in France:

Belle Dune, Northern France

One of the most beautiful golf courses in Europe, let alone France, you can tell that Belle Dune has been designed as much for its visual appeal as for the good game of golf the course provides. During your game, the course requires you to stroll thorough one of the largest nature reserves in Europe, and despite the longish walks between holes and the sometimes unforgiving holes that make bogeys common when the coastal winds strike, it’s impossible not to wander the fairways and greens with a big smile on your face.

Champ de Bataille, Normandy

The stunning ancient forests surrounding Champ de Bataille temporarily blind you to the fact that this course plays a damn fine game of golf. Amid the fauna and flora to admire, there is a mix of 18 varied and entertaining holes with lush fairways and protected greens. When taking a golf break in France, this is an absolute must for the player with an eye for beauty, or just an eye for a tremendous course!

Val Andre, Brittany

When you arrive to tee off at Val Andre for the first time, it is easy to find yourself distracted by the beauty of the surroundings. Set against amazing land and seascapes, and with beaches and cliffs in the distance, it’s important to keep one eye on your game, because the winds and tricky greens can get the better of even the most seasoned golfer.

Les Bordes, Loire

Les Bordes needs no introduction. It’s consistently ranked among the best in Europe and will provide a challenge to any golfer who chooses to visit (the record for the course is a single stroke under par) as well as provide a tranquil setting to get away from it all. The surroundings of the course are idyllic countryside and provide some splendid woodland walks and exploration once the golf shoes are off – if you can pull yourself away from the greens and fairways! A must for any golf break in France.

Fontainebleau, South of Paris

This is an immaculately-kept golf course, probably due in no small part to its private, exclusive membership (but our clients are welcomed with open arms). The raised tees offer incredible views of the surrounding forest, which is the largest in France. For me, the highlight has to be on the 9th fairway, where everything is how the perfect golf course should look – velvet greens, ancient woodland and deep bunkers lining carpet-like fairways…All combining to present a real challenge.

Seignosse, South West France

Very much the pick of the South Western France golf courses, the hilly terrains and raised tees offer some amazing views – and not just of the delightfully contoured fairways. With the course just a couple of miles inland off the Atlantic you can be sure of some mesmerising sights – take your camera for the Tiger Tee on the 11th hole.

Evian, Alps

Everything about this golf course screams beauty; from the delightful layout to the well-kept fairways and greens and log-cabin clubhouse. If you can tear yourself away from the delights of the Par 72 course, there are some splendid views of Lake Leman. Host to the world’s richest tournament for ladies, it is no surprise that the Evian Masters course attracts keen golfers as well as well-to-do holiday golfers from the neighbouring Royal Evian Hotel.

Correncon, Alps

Set 1200 feet up in the Vercors Massif and bordering Europe’s largest nature reserve, it’s little wonder this is one of the most beautiful golf courses in France! Simply put, mountain scenery does not come more spectacular than this and, although the course may prove a little easy for scratch golfers, a stroll along a course carved into such impressive mountain forest surroundings is treat enough in itself.

Gassin, Provence

It’s fitting that one of the most attractive areas of France now has a golf course to match. Golf du Gassin opened in 2005 and has already established itself as one of the better golf courses France has to offer. Set in a listed and protected environment, the natural aesthetics surrounding the course are simply stunning. Designed by Gary Player and Robert Trent Jones, they have made a great golf course in very picturesque surroundings.

Taulane, Provence

This is my personal pick of the bunch – the most beautiful golf course in France. The mountain backdrop provides an unrivalled sense of seclusion and even a bad swing day is a great golf day! The course is excellent too – another Gary Player design – quite easy to walk, a real pleasure and testing challenge to play and a lovely lunch with a glass or two of Rose on the terrace rounds off the perfect golfing experience. With so many beautiful courses, it’s no wonder that golf breaks in France are still our No. 1. In fact, just reading over my list has got me digging out my suitcase!