France is one of the most underrated golf trips in Europe, a short hop from the UK with two course resorts, real value and a long lunch waiting at the turn. From the links and forest of Le Touquet to the wine country of Bordeaux, here are the six venues we would build a society trip around, ranked for group days, easy access and a memorable week.
Photograph: Golf du Touquet, via Google.
A society trip lives or dies on logistics. The best venues put two good courses on one site or a cluster of them within a short drive, welcome groups without fuss, serve a proper lunch and sit close enough to a ferry, tunnel or airport that the travel does not eat the weekend. France delivers all of that better than its reputation suggests, and northern France in particular is the natural first trip for a UK society, reachable by car in a morning from Calais.
We weighed the quality of the golf, how easily a group can book back to back rounds, the strength of the base and the value, and we leaned toward places that make a two or three day society itinerary effortless. We have grouped the famous Pas de Calais resorts at the top for that reason, then the resort golf of Bordeaux and the Riviera, then two of the country's finest tests for the more ambitious group. Every fact here was checked at the time of writing, and the order is our editors' view. Tell us your numbers and dates and our concierge will cost the trip to the head.
Reviewed June 2026 by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and designers verified at publication. How we research and review.
The classic UK society trip and our top pick for a reason. La Mer is a genuine links and a former French Open host, full of dunes and run offs, perfectly complemented by the sheltered, tree lined La Foret. Two contrasting courses on one site, an easy drive from Calais, and a lively seaside town for the evening make it the most effortless group golf in France. Play both in a day and you have the heart of a brilliant society weekend.
A short drive up the coast from Le Touquet and the perfect partner to it on a longer trip. Les Pins is a Tom Simpson design from 1931, a beautiful, strategic course threading through pine forest that many rate the finest in the region, while the newer Les Dunes adds a second 18. Two courses, two contrasting styles and the option to base a society across Hardelot and Le Touquet for four superb rounds in a weekend.
The pick for a society that wants golf and wine in equal measure. Just outside Bordeaux, the resort pairs Les Chateaux, a Bill Coore design rated among the best courses in France, with the heathland flavored Les Vignes, plus an on site hotel and spa. Two strong courses, a single check in and the vineyards and restaurants of Bordeaux a short drive away make this an outstanding long weekend or midweek group base.
The luxury end of the list. This five star resort in the hills above the Cote d'Azur has two Dave Thomas championship courses, Le Chateau and Le Riou, that tumble through Provencal countryside, plus one of the best practice facilities in Europe. It costs more than the north, but for a special society occasion, a milestone birthday group or a corporate trip, the combination of two top courses, a great hotel and the Riviera nearby is hard to beat.
For a group chasing the highest quality golf, Les Bordes is a bucket list double. The Old Course, a Robert von Hagge design from 1986, is a famously demanding test through the Sologne forest and lakes, now joined by a modern New Course from Gil Hanse. Access is more exclusive than the resorts above, so it suits a smaller, keen society willing to plan ahead, but two courses of this calibre on one estate is a rare thing in France.
A short drive north of Paris, Chantilly is one of the great inland courses in France, the Vineuil layout a Tom Simpson classic that regularly rates inside the national top ten and has hosted multiple French Opens. It is a more traditional, members club setting than the resorts, so access takes arranging, but for a golf focused society that wants a genuinely world class course paired with the chateau town of Chantilly, it is a memorable centerpiece.
Designers, course pairings and host events verified June 2026 from the clubs and recognized course databases. Hardelot Les Pins is a Tom Simpson design from 1931; Golf du Medoc Les Chateaux is a Bill Coore design; Terre Blanche's two courses are Dave Thomas designs. Always confirm group access and fees directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Northern France is the value play and the easiest to reach, a car and a ferry or the Eurotunnel from the UK and you are on the first tee by lunch. The Bordeaux and Riviera resorts cost more but bundle hotel, dining and two courses into one booking, ideal for a group that wants everything on site. The main season runs May to September across the north and Bordeaux, while the Riviera plays well from spring into late autumn. Book group tee times early for summer weekends.
| Venue | Style | Indicative green fee |
|---|---|---|
| Le Touquet | Links and forest | €70 to €130 |
| Hardelot | Forest and dunes | €70 to €120 |
| Golf du Medoc | Resort | €80 to €140 |
| Terre Blanche | Luxury resort | €150 to €260 |
Indicative 2026 high season fees; figures change by season and year, and group rates differ. Always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
Tell us your numbers, your dates and whether you want the easy ferry hop to Le Touquet and Hardelot or a wine and golf week around Bordeaux, and one concierge arranges the courses, the base and the transfers and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Northern France around Le Touquet and Hardelot is the classic society base, an easy ferry or Eurotunnel hop from the UK with several quality courses close together. For a resort feel, Golf du Medoc near Bordeaux and Terre Blanche on the Riviera both offer two courses on one site.
Several. Le Touquet has La Mer and La Foret, Hardelot has Les Pins and Les Dunes, Golf du Medoc has Les Chateaux and Les Vignes, Terre Blanche has Le Chateau and Le Riou, and Les Bordes has its Old and New courses, all ideal for back to back rounds.
Northern France is strong value and very accessible from the UK, with indicative green fees often lower than comparable British heathland. The Bordeaux and Riviera resorts cost more but bundle hotel, dining and two courses. Always confirm group rates directly before booking.
May to September gives the firmest turf and longest days across the north and Bordeaux, while the Riviera at Terre Blanche plays well from spring into late autumn. Book group tee times well ahead for summer weekends.
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, course pairings and host events verified June 2026; indicative green fees for the 2026 season. Last reviewed June 2026.