Golf de Dinard, the historic links at Saint-Briac on Brittany's Emerald Coast
Ranked · 7 courses · updated 2026

The Best Golf Courses in Brittany

Brittany is one of France's most underrated golf regions: a long, wild coastline of seaside links and inland chateau parklands, mild weather, and the seafood, cider and scenery of the north west to fill the evenings. A short ferry from the south of England, it rewards a driving trip with the clubs in the boot. Here are the seven courses we rate most highly in Brittany, ranked, with our verdict on each and how to play it.

Photograph: Golf de Dinard, Saint-Briac, via Google

How we chose them

Brittany splits neatly into two golfing coasts, and a good trip picks one. The north, from Dinard and Saint-Malo round to the Emerald Coast, holds the historic links and the cliff top drama; the south, from the Gulf of Morbihan down through Carnac and Bénodet, runs to gentler parkland and resort golf wrapped in the warmest weather in the region. Across both, the appeal is the same: courses that are rarely crowded, played beside the sea or around a chateau, in a part of France that takes its food and its coastline as seriously as anywhere.

We weighed course quality and design pedigree, the strength of the setting, the playability across a range of handicaps, and how each course fits a touring week. The seaside links score highest for character, the chateau courses for a polished stay and play. Every detail was checked at the time of writing. The order and the verdicts are our editors' view, so reasonable people will reorder the list. If you want these built into a costed trip, see our guide to golf in Brittany or our France golf holidays, and our concierge will do the rest.

The ranking

01

Golf de Pleneuf-Val-Andre

Cotes-d'Armor · Alain Prat · opened 1992 · Open de Bretagne host

The course most often named the finest in Brittany, an Alain Prat design from 1992 strung along the clifftops above the Emerald Coast, with holes that tumble toward the sea and views across the bay of Saint-Brieuc. It has hosted the Open de Bretagne for over a decade, a sign of its quality, and the exposed clifftop setting gives it the feel of a true seaside test when the wind gets up. The standout round on the north coast and the natural anchor of a Brittany trip. Book ahead in summer and pack for the breeze.

02

Golf de Dinard, Saint-Briac

Ille-et-Vilaine · Tom Dunn · founded 1887 · one of the oldest in France

History as much as golf, the Dinard links at Saint-Briac dates to 1887 and is among the oldest courses in continental Europe, laid out by Tom Dunn on the dunes and moorland of the Emerald Coast. It is short by modern standards but full of charm and quirk, with blind shots, stone walls and the sea in constant view, a links to be enjoyed rather than conquered. For anyone who loves the roots of the game it is a must, and the resort town of Dinard makes a fine base. A characterful step back in time.

03

Golf de Ploemeur Ocean, Lorient

Morbihan · Macauley and Quenouille · opened 1990 · par 72

The pick of the south coast and the region's other genuine links, opened in 1990 by Macauley and Quenouille on the cliffs near Lorient, with several holes running hard along the Atlantic and views to the Ile de Groix. It plays firm and fast in the maritime air, a proper seaside test that rewards the run up shot and a low ball flight, and it sits within easy reach of Carnac and the Morbihan for a southern week. For links lovers based in the south, this is the one to build around. Windswept and thoroughly enjoyable.

04

Golf de la Bretesche, Missillac

Loire-Atlantique · Henry Cotton · opened 1967 · par 72

The most photogenic course in the region, a Henry Cotton design from 1967 wrapped around the lake and the fairytale moated chateau of La Bretesche at Missillac, on the southern edge of Brittany near the Loire-Atlantique border. The parkland holes run through woodland with the chateau as a backdrop, and the Relais and Chateaux hotel on the estate makes it a polished stay and play. Less of a seaside thrill than the links but a beautiful, tranquil round and a luxurious base. The pick for a stay put golf and good living break.

05

Saint-Malo Golf Resort, Le Tronchet

Ille-et-Vilaine · Hubert Chesneau · opened 1986 · 27 holes

A 27 hole resort inland from Saint-Malo at Le Tronchet, designed by Hubert Chesneau, who went on to co design Le Golf National near Paris. The main 18 runs through woodland and around a lake on the edge of the forest of Mesnil, a varied, well conditioned layout with an on site hotel that makes it an easy base for exploring the north coast and the bay of Mont Saint-Michel. Pair it with Dinard and Pleneuf for a complete north Brittany trip. A comfortable, flexible base within reach of three of the region's best.

06

Golf de Cornouaille, La Foret-Fouesnant

Finistere · Fred and Martin Hawtree · opened 1959

A mature Hawtree parkland near Bénodet in southern Finistère, opened in 1959 and laid out through old estate woodland with a manor house clubhouse and glimpses of the bay of La Forêt. It is a classic, tree lined test of the old school, gentle on the eye but demanding accuracy, and a fixture of any golf trip to the warm south west corner of Brittany. With several courses around Bénodet and Quimper, it makes a relaxed base for a southern week. A handsome, established round in a pretty setting.

07

Golf de Saint-Laurent, Carnac

Morbihan · Michael Fenn · opened 1975 · 27 holes

The golf base for the Carnac and Quiberon area, a 27 hole complex designed by Michael Fenn in 1975 and set in pine and heather a short drive from the famous standing stones and the beaches of the Morbihan coast. The main 18 is a pleasant, rolling woodland course with an on site hotel, well suited to a group splitting time between golf, the seaside resorts and the megaliths. It rounds out a southern Brittany itinerary alongside Ploemeur Océan. An easygoing, well placed resort round on the sunny south coast.

Designers, opening years and host events verified June 2026 from the clubs and leading databases; visitor access, green fees and tee times vary by season. Always confirm visitor access and fees directly before booking. Check tee time availability.

Plan your Brittany golf trip

Tell us the group size, the rough dates and whether you want the historic links of the north coast or the resort golf of the south, and we will build it. One concierge secures the tee times, sorts the lodging and the ferry or flights, and costs the whole trip to the head, with no obligation.

Brittany golf questions

What is the best golf course in Brittany?

Golf de Pleneuf-Val-Andre is the course most often named the finest in Brittany, an Alain Prat design from 1992 laid along the clifftops of the Emerald Coast that has hosted the Open de Bretagne for years. The historic links at Dinard, dating to 1887, runs it close for atmosphere and pedigree, while Ploemeur Ocean near Lorient is the region's other true seaside links. Always confirm visitor access and fees directly before booking.

Is Brittany a good golf destination?

Brittany is one of France's most underrated golf regions, a long coastline of seaside links and inland chateau parkland courses, mild weather and the seafood, cider and dramatic scenery of the north west. It pairs well with a ferry crossing from the south of England, so it suits a driving trip with the clubs in the boot, and the courses are rarely crowded. Distances along the coast are real, so most trips pick the north coast or the south.

When is the best time to play golf in Brittany?

May to September is the prime window, with the warmest, driest weather and the courses in best condition, though the Breton coast stays green and playable for much of the year thanks to a mild maritime climate. Spring and early autumn are quieter and often beautiful. The wind is a factor on the exposed links, so pack for it. Always confirm conditions before booking.

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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, course details and host events verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.

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