Chantilly Vineuil
The Vineuil course at Golf de Chantilly is the most revered classical layout near Paris, a par 71 of about 7,050 yards that Tom Simpson extended to eighteen holes in 1920. Set in the forest of the Oise some 45 kilometres north of the capital, it has hosted the French Open many times and remains a benchmark of strategic design, all subtle angles and exacting greens.
Photo: Golf de Chantilly via Google.
The verdict
An hour north of Paris, in the great forest around the racing town of Chantilly, sits one of continental Europe's finest examples of the strategic school. The Vineuil course grew from a nine hole layout founded in 1909, and when Tom Simpson extended and reworked it into eighteen holes in 1920 he created a masterpiece of understatement, a course that defends itself with cunning rather than length or water.
It has hosted the French Open on numerous occasions and is consistently rated among the best courses in France and continental Europe. Simpson's genius is in the angles, fairways that funnel toward the wrong side, bunkers placed exactly where the bold line invites them, and small, firm greens that punish the approach from the lazy position. It is a private club with a quiet, aristocratic air, midweek visitor access by arrangement, and the kind of design education every travelling golfer should seek out.
Golf de Chantilly Vineuil at a glance
- Opened
- 1920
- Designer
- Tom Simpson
- Type
- Forest parkland
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 7,050 yds (6,444 m)
- Green fee
- From around €120 (indicative)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Golf de Chantilly and leading course databases. The Vineuil course grew from a nine hole layout of 1909, extended to eighteen holes by Tom Simpson in 1920, a par 71 of about 6,444 metres, roughly 7,050 yards. It is a private club; visitor green fees in recent seasons have run from around €120 on permitted midweek days (indicative, 2026), so always confirm access and current rates directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Vineuil is a clinic in strategic design. The fairways look generous from the tee, but Simpson set them so that only one side opens the ideal angle into the green, and the bunkering sits precisely on the aggressive line. Choose the safe route and the approach is awkward, take on the carry and the reward is a clear shot at a small, firm putting surface that gives nothing away.
The greens are the heart of the test, modest in size, subtly contoured and running fast, so that distance control matters more than raw power. The par 3s are first rate, each asking a different, committed iron, and the closing holes through the trees demand a player keep thinking when the card is on the line. There is no padding here, no filler, just eighteen holes of pure positional golf.
For the visiting golfer it is a lesson as much as a round, the work of an architect who believed the course should ask questions rather than overpower. Play it once and you understand why Simpson's Chantilly is held in such reverence.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors welcome on permitted midweek days by prior arrangement |
| Green fee | From around €120 on permitted days, varying by season (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve in advance through the club; weekends are generally reserved for members |
| On the day | Walking course through forest; caddies and carts limited; a smart dress code applies |
| Getting there | Vineuil-Saint-Firmin in the Oise, about 45 minutes north of central Paris and Charles de Gaulle |
| Best months | May to October for the driest, warmest conditions in the forest of Chantilly |
Access arrangements and fees verified June 2026; Chantilly is private and visitor days and rates change by season, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The town of Chantilly itself, with its chateau, racecourse and good hotels, makes the natural base, minutes from the course and full of character. For a grander stay, a handful of country house hotels sit within a short drive, while central Paris is close enough that some golfers play Chantilly as a day trip from the city.
The region pairs beautifully with a wider tour of the best French golf around the capital, from Le Golf National south of Paris to the heathland courses of the Oise. It is an easy area to build a few days around, combining classical golf with the food, wine and history of the Paris region.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Golf de Chantilly Vineuil.
Build a Paris golf trip
We arrange access to Chantilly on its permitted days, pair it with the best of golf around Paris and book the hotels and transfers around it. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Golf de Chantilly Vineuil questions
Who designed Golf de Chantilly Vineuil and when did it open?
The Vineuil course began as a nine hole layout in 1909 and was extended to eighteen holes by the celebrated architect Tom Simpson in 1920.
What is the par and length of the Vineuil course?
The Vineuil course is a par 71 of about 6,444 metres, roughly 7,050 yards, a strategic forest parkland design with small, firm greens and classical bunkering.
What tournaments has Chantilly Vineuil hosted?
The Vineuil course has hosted the French Open on numerous occasions and is consistently rated among the finest classical courses in France and continental Europe.
Can visitors play Chantilly Vineuil?
Golf de Chantilly is a private members club that welcomes visitors on permitted midweek days by prior arrangement. Weekends are generally reserved for members, so book ahead through the club.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.