Golf In Normandy
Normandy in France has some of the most interesting courses closest on the continent to the UK. It offers visitors the chance to play on many different styles of golf course and experience some breathtaking holes.
There are around forty courses varying from links seaside golf to lush parkland courses with green fairways winding through dense forests. There are also many interesting historical aspects that make playing golf a thoroughly enjoyable and unique experience.
How to Get to Normandy?
The proximity of the Region makes it very easy to get to. There is a choice of routes utilising the ferry, the Channel Tunnel or by air. Brittany ferries operates three different destinations from Portsmouth. You can arrive at Le Havre, Cherbourg or Caen/Ouisttreham and from Poole to Cherbourg. Irish ferries and Stena Line sail from Rosslaire and Dublin to Cherbourg.
Using the Channel Tunnel is probably the most convenient form of transport.
There are regular departures from Folkestone to Calais with the shuttle service through the Eurotunnel. The Eurostar also operates from London St. Pancras, Ashford and Ebbsfleet to Calais and Paris Garre du Nord.
The Best Golf Courses In Normandy
As mentioned above you are spoilt for choice with regard to where to play. The following will give you a flavour of what the area has to offer.
Omaha Beach Golf Course is set on the cliff tops overlooking the D-Day landing area of Omaha Beach. The views of the artificial harbour the Allies built and the German gun battery at Longues sur Mer make for a spectacular setting. There are two 18-hole courses here both a mixture of sea side holes and holes that are inland that wind through wooded areas.
With five of the eighteen holes right along the cliff edge, Golf D’Etreat offers a challenge to golfers of all abilities. If the spectacular scenery doesn’t distract you then the prevailing sea breezes certainly will. There are several memorable holes that will long live in the memory.
Golf Du Champ De Bataille is certainly one of the finest courses in the area. It’s very English in style with fairways that are tree lined and greens that are Cleverley protected by well-positioned bunkers. Similar in character to Woburn or Wentworth it’s a superb course that everyone should have on their bucket list.
Golf Barriere Deauville is pitched in the ideal location for those wanting to stay in high-quality accommodation with its own very good golf course. The Deauville itself has long been regarded as one of France’s most fashionable Resorts. The Racecourse there is the place to be seen in the summer season. The Hotel exterior is traditional in style, but the facilities are modern and the golf course is well worth a visit.
Where To Stay In Normandy
Hotel Barriere L’Hotel du Golf Deauville in Normandy is popular with golfers due to the 27 hole course on the doorstep! The course opened in 1929 and has matured into something truly amazing. This hotel has 170 rooms which are decorated in a modern style.
Another excellent choice is Hotel Golf Parc which is a typically French mansion that also has a golf course on-site, the 18 hole Le Golf Parc. This boutique hotel has just 20 rooms which offer an authentic experience.
Things To Do In Normandy
There are many historical sites to visit as Normandy has been the scene of numerous battles over the years. There are still relics of the Second World war to be seen throughout the Region. The American Cemetery is a poignant reminder of that and a must visit location in Normandy. The Caen Memorial Museum in Lower Normandy is a good place to start any memorial tour.
The Étretat Cliffs are simply breathtaking and should not be missed during your visit. Another notable attraction is the UNESCO listed Mont-Saint-Michel. This stunning tidal island is situated at the entrance of the Couesnon River where Normandy and Brittany meet. There is a monastery that has been there since the 700s although significant development took place during the Norman period.
The Region is well known for its gastronomy and the different varieties of the local apple brandy are worth trying.
Normandy ticks all the boxes as a golfing destination. It’s closeness to the UK means there is no excuse for not having a golf holiday in Normandy.
Leave a Reply