Golf International d'Arcangues
In the green hills just inland from Biarritz, at Arcangues, one of the most beautiful villages in the French Basque Country, this Ronald Fream design opened in 1991. A par 72 of about 5,758 meters, it tumbles through undulating terrain with natural drops at every turn and sweeping views to the Pyrenees and the Atlantic, a scenic round minutes from one of Europe's great resort towns.
Photo: Golf d'Arcangues via Google.
The verdict
Golf d'Arcangues is the country cousin of the Biarritz golf scene, set a few minutes inland from the coast in the rolling Basque hills above the village of Arcangues. The course was created by the brothers Guy and Jean d'Arcangues and opened in 1991 to a design by the American architect Ronald Fream, and it makes the most of a beautiful, dramatic site. A par 72 of about 5,758 meters, it is not a long course, but the hilly, undulating ground gives it character and challenge in equal measure, with natural drops and rises shaping almost every hole and the high Pyrenees forming a backdrop to the south.
The draw here is the marriage of scenery and seclusion. Where the coastal courses around Biarritz are busy and storied, Arcangues feels like a discovery, a peaceful hillside layout among woods and meadows with views that open to the mountains and, on a clear day, glimpses of the sea. It rewards a player who enjoys reading slopes and judging shots off uneven lies, and it sits within easy reach of Biarritz and its famous trio of older courses, making it a natural addition to a Basque Coast golf trip.
Golf d'Arcangues at a glance
- Opened
- 1991
- Designer
- Ronald Fream
- Type
- Hillside parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 5,758 m
- Green fee
- From about 60 euro
Opening year, designer and par verified June 2026 from leading course databases and the club. Golf International d'Arcangues opened in 1991 to a Ronald Fream design, a par 72 of about 5,758 meters in the hills above Biarritz; some sources quote a longer overall yardage across the tees, so we present the playing length as reported. It is open to visitors and bookable year round. Indicative 2026 green fees run roughly 60 to 90 euro depending on season. Fees move with season and demand, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The land is what makes Arcangues. Fream routed the holes across a hillside of real movement, so few lies are flat and the round is a constant exercise in judging the slope, the stance and the carry. Uphill holes play longer than the card suggests, downhill tee shots run on for miles, and the greens are set into the contours so that the approach must account for the fall of the land. At about 5,758 meters the course never relies on length to defend itself; the terrain does that, and the player who controls trajectory and spin will score best.
It is also a genuinely beautiful walk, through woods and open meadows with the Pyrenees rising to the south and the Basque countryside rolling away in every direction. The clubhouse and its terrace make a fine spot to take in the view after the round, and the relaxed, club feel is a welcome contrast to the busier coastal courses. Strong players will find enough challenge in the slopes and the well placed hazards, while higher handicaps can enjoy the scenery and the lack of brutal length.
Arcangues suits the golfer who values setting and shot making over sheer scale, and who wants a quieter, scenic round to balance the famous coastal courses. It pairs naturally with the cliff top Golf de Biarritz Le Phare and the seaside links of Chiberta for a varied Basque Coast itinerary.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visitors; tee times bookable year round, online and through tour operators |
| Green fee | Indicative 2026 range about 60 to 90 euro depending on season; confirm at booking |
| Booking | Reserve ahead in the busy summer season; Basque Coast multi course packages keep it simple |
| On the day | Hilly, undulating terrain with steady climbs; a buggy is recommended; reward for shaping shots off uneven lies |
| Getting there | At Arcangues, about 10 minutes from Biarritz center, train station and airport |
| Best months | Spring through autumn for ideal conditions; the mild Basque climate allows year round play |
Access and fee details verified June 2026. Pricing moves with season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. See our best golf courses in Biarritz for the wider picture.
Where to stay nearby
Biarritz is the natural base, a glamorous resort town with grand hotels, fine beaches and a long golfing pedigree, all about ten minutes from the course. For something quieter, the elegant town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz down the coast and the Basque villages inland offer characterful hotels and easy access to the wider region, while the warm climate and famous cuisine make the whole Basque Coast a rewarding place to spend a few days.
Arcangues is best built into a Biarritz and Basque Coast golf tour. Pair it with the historic Golf de Biarritz Le Phare, the seaside Chiberta links and the wooded Chantaco. See our golf in Biarritz hub and our best Biarritz courses ranking, or browse Biarritz and the Basque Coast golf holidays.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts in and around Biarritz.
Build a Basque Coast golf trip
We book the Arcangues tee times, pair the hillside views with the famous coastal courses of Biarritz and arrange the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Golf d'Arcangues questions
When did Golf d'Arcangues open and who designed it?
Golf International d'Arcangues opened in 1991, created by the brothers Guy and Jean d'Arcangues to a design by the American architect Ronald Fream. It sits in the hills at Arcangues, just inland from Biarritz.
What is the par and length of Golf d'Arcangues?
Arcangues is a par 72 measuring about 5,758 meters, a course defined by its hilly, undulating terrain and natural drops rather than by raw length, with views to the Pyrenees and the sea.
What is Golf d'Arcangues known for?
Its setting. The course rolls through the Basque hills above Biarritz in one of France's most beautiful villages, with sweeping views to the Pyrenees and out to the Atlantic, a scenic round close to a great resort town.
Can visitors play Golf d'Arcangues?
Yes. Arcangues is open to visitors and bookable year round. Indicative 2026 green fees run roughly 60 to 90 euro depending on season; always confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Opening year, designer and par verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.