It’s official! In 2018, France will host the Ryder Cup, the famous team golf competition that is the third biggest international sporting competition after the Olympic Games and the World Cup. The competition will take place at the Golf National de Saint-Quentin en Yvelines. So now is an ideal time to get a glimpse of golfing opportunities in the Paris Region. The sport is attracting new enthusiasts every day.
With its combination of nature and elegance, golf is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or level of fitness. Paris and the Paris Region have numerous golf courses to play at. Here is an overview of golf clubs to the north, south, east and west of Paris in the Paris Region: courses, practice grounds and training centres.
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**Yes, you can play golf in Paris! The Golf du bois de Boulogne, within the centre of the Hippodrome de Longchamp, is situated within the city limits of Paris.
The concept: a club to practice at that is open to everyone.
Idea for a golfing break in Paris?
The hotel Pont Royal****, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, offers a golfing package that includes 3 nights, breakfast and a day’s golf, with transfers, loan of equipment on request and the assistance of a private golf coach.
For a fun and quirky activity, come to Mad Golf, a unique mini-golf course where you can test your putt in a retro-Californian atmosphere, accompanied by non-alcoholic cocktails and finger food.
To the east of Paris, there is first of all the Disneyland Resort Paris golf course. This impressive site is situated close to the famous theme park and has three 9-hole courses. It is open all year.
See also: the Golf du Parc du Tremblay - one of the first urban compact courses in France, the splendid 18-hole course Golf d’Ozoir la Ferrière (less than 30 min. from the périphérique [Paris ring road]), the Golf d’Ormesson (15km from the Porte de Bercy), the Golf de La Poudrerie at Livry Gargan, the Golf Clément Ader, ‘the Irish golf course in Paris’, and a little further to the east of Paris, the Golf de Bussy-Guermantes...
To the north of Paris, Chantilly with its outstanding wooded surroundings offers some remarkable internationally renowned courses in perfect condition and full of history. Chantilly has several courses including 2 private ones.
For experienced players, the Vineuil course, at the Golf de Chantilly is a must. It is the oldest and finest of the Chantilly sites. Until 1990, the Vineuil course hosted the famous Open de France international competition. NB this golf course is reserved for members only at the weekend.
Another splendid golf course renovated in 2007 by Xavier Niel, the Club du Lys Chantilly offers golfers an excellent 18-hole course. In the direction of Paris and 25km from Chantilly, the Golf de Domont-Montmorency also offers a fine course cut out of a wood of chestnut trees that provide a stunning colourful setting in autumn.
Tucked away to the north of Paris is a gem of a course: the Paris International Golf Club, one of the finest golf courses in Europe and the only one in France designed by the famous golfer Jack Nicklaus.
Ideas for golfing breaks to the north of Paris?
Situated close to Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, near to the golf course of Bellefontaine, the Marriott Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle**** offers easy access to the golf course, plus a fitness centre open 24/24. On the edge of Rosny-sous-Bois golf course, the Quality Hotel Golf*** enables golfers to go and practice their swing just a few metres from the hotel. Finally, right in the heart of the forest of Chantilly, the Mercure Chantilly Resort & Conventions is situated on the edge of a lovely golf course attached to the hotel and offers golf packages as well as free introductory sessions for beginners.
With numerous top quality courses, among which are a large number of training centres, the west of Paris is a firm favourite of keen golfers. Close to Paris, right in the heart of the Hippodrome de Saint-Cloud, the Golf du Paris Country Club offers the largest practice area in Europe with 200 practice tees.
A little further away to the west of the capital, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines has several courses including the Golf National, which each year hosts the Open de France, one of the biggest international competitions; in 2018, it will also host the Ryder Cup 2018.
Not to be missed to the west are the golf courses La Boulie part of the Racing Club de France (1st French Open in 1906), the Golf de Saint-Nom la Bretèche (the venue for the former Trophée Lancôme tournament), the Cergy Golf Club, near to Cergy-Pontoise outdoor activities centre for some good golf practice, not forgetting the Golf de Saint-Cloud with its view of the Eiffel Tower.
Ideas for golfing breaks to the west of Paris?
The Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu****, a magnificent 13th-century building, has been converted into a luxurious hotel with a private golf range. The Novotel Saint Quentin Golf National*** is housed on the Golf National, where the Open de France is played every year. The Inter-Hotel Amarys Guyancourt** is also within close distance to the Golf National.
To the south of Paris, one of the finest courses in Europe, the Golf de Fontainebleau (designed by Tom Simpson in 1909) takes advantage of the natural topography of the region. Features: rock, heather, gorse and bunkers!
But there is also the Golf de Crécy designed by Arnold Palmer, the Golf du Château de Cély 45km to the south of Paris, and in a magnificent setting, the Golf de Courson-Stade Français that is nicknamed the ‘petit national’, and the Golf de Marivaux in a naturally wooded and hilly setting …
Ideas for golfing breaks to the south of Paris?
At Crécy-la-Chapelle, the Domaine de la Brie is an apartment hotel set around two 18-hole courses. Housed on a golf course, the Novotel Sénart Golf de Greenparc*** has guest rooms all with a balcony overlooking the course. Close to the superb forest, at Dourdan, the Inter-Hotel Hostellerie Blanche de Castille is within 10 or so kilometres from 2 golf courses, Rochefort and Forges-les-Bains. Finally, near to Marne-la-Vallée, the Espaces Vocation Abbaye du Golf*** is built in a former abbey dating back to the 12th century and ideally situated on the edge of the 100 hectare site of the Golf Réveillon.
Why not sit back and let someone else organize your golfing break? Some specialist agencies offer themed packages. One such agency is Private Golf Key, which organizes breaks for golfers and people wanting to discover the sport.
It offers packages combining the most prestigious courses in the Paris Region to experienced golfers, organizes introductory sessions for beginners, and competitions at wonderful courses for companies.
A subtle blend of charm and energy.
The Paris Marriott Charles de Gaulle Airport Hotel is ideally situated at …
