Looking to play the best golf courses in France? GolfReviewsGuide.com picks out the top courses to play in France.

France, across the channel from England in continental Europe, has become a hotbed of golf with some of the world’s most notable venues located in the country.

From Ryder Cup and 2024 Olympic Games host venue Le Golf National to stunning mountainous courses in the Alps and Pyrenees, France has it all covered.

A trip to France provides tourists with cool winters and mild summers in general. In the south of France, you’ll find the Mediterranean Sea and a climactic zone where the summers are a little hotter.

It may be a diverse country with golf courses spanning north to south and east to west, but we have narrowed down our best golf courses in France to five.

Fontainebleau Golf Club

The Fontainebleau Golf Club course was established in 1909 and it is the oldest course to make our shortlist of France’s best venues.

Located to approximately 55 kilometers (about 34 miles) south of Paris, Fontainebleau is a private course with a total yardage of 6,729 yards which plays as a par-72.

Architect Julien Chantepie originally created this course, however, Tom Simpson worked on the design in 1920, not long after it opened.

Golfers should expect a forested location that will resemble parkland-style in many ways. There are rocks and ancient trees at this 18-hole challenge, one of the oldest courses in France.

The fairways can be narrow at times, making it a difficult course from the tee. Furthermore, there are also scores of bunkers adding to the challenge at this beautiful inland course.

Le Golf National

Le Golf National is located in Guyancourt, not far from the centre of the French capital Paris, and is one of the country’s best known venues.

The course opened in 1990, it is a par-72 affair with a total length is 7,331 yards. Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge designed this private course, one that has a rock-solid reputation.

The championship course hosts the Open de France, while it also hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup and it will be the host venue for Paris’ 2024 Summer Olympics.

Golfers can therefore expect a true test on a course where the greens are fast, the fairways are expansive, and there are some memorable water hazards that have to be negotiated en route to saving par.

Golf de Morfontaine

Tom Simpson designed the Grand Parcours course at Golf de Morfontaine, which opened in 1927 in Mortefontaine, France.

This is a very short private course at just 5,994 yards in total length. Accordingly, par for the course is a little below standard, set at just 70 strokes.

It is among the older courses in the country of France but in recent times, Kyle Philips has worked on the layout design, performing updates on six of the holes.

Golf Digest ranked this course No. 7 for golf courses that are not in the USA in a 2020 publication, recognising a world-class golfing venue with a unique layout.

Golf Club de Palmola

Michael Fenn designed the Golf Club de Palmola‘s golf course near Toulouse in the south of France in 1974.

A public course, this par-72 contest at a total length of 6,729 yards is of the parkland style.

Located in The Forest of Buzet, the championship 18-hole winding course is in a rolling woodland with stunning views as you meander the fairways.

Golfers can expect countryside viewing as they golf and facilities that include an impressive driving range.

Les Bordes Golf Club

The “Old Course” at Les Bordes Golf Club, a private course, is located in Saint-Laurent-Nouan in the stunning Loire Valley region.

It opened for play in 1987, is a par-72 contest and has a total length of 7,009 yards. Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril were the course designers.

Golfers should expect a tree-lined challenge in a forested setting amidst lakes with holes that really test the skills of all levels.

Les Bordes is suitable for an extended golfing stay with a “New Course” added in addition to the “Old Course” and a par-3 course known as the Wild Piglet Course. The latter is fairly easy at just 1,557 total yards for nine holes.