Hardelot Les Pins
Les Pins at Golf d'Hardelot is one of the finest courses in northern France, a Tom Simpson design from 1931 set in mature pine forest behind the dunes near Le Touquet. A par 71 of about 6,460 yards, it was recently restored by Frank Pont and Patrice Boissonnas to Simpson's drawings, and is often compared to the great heathland courses of the Berkshire.
Photo: Golf d'Hardelot, Les Pins, Resonance Golf Collection via Google.
The verdict
Golf d'Hardelot dates to 1905, but the course that golfers travel for is Les Pins, laid out by the celebrated British architect Tom Simpson in 1931. He routed it through the mature pine forest set back from the Channel dunes, with narrow, tilting fairways and the bold, strategic bunkering that was his signature. It is widely held to be among the best inland courses in France.
In recent years the Dutch architect Frank Pont, working with Patrice Boissonnas, spent three years restoring the course from Simpson's original photographs and drawings, rebuilding the bunkers to recover the strategic intent. The result is a classical, thinking golfer's course that recalls the golden age of British design, with Les Pins frequently likened to the Red course at the Berkshire.
Hardelot Les Pins at a glance
- Opened
- 1931
- Designer
- Tom Simpson, 1931
- Type
- Forest
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 6,460 yds
- Green fee
- From €90
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases. Les Pins at Golf d'Hardelot was designed by Tom Simpson and opened in 1931, a par 71 of about 6,460 yards through pine forest, recently restored by Frank Pont and Patrice Boissonnas. Indicative green fees change by season and year, so always confirm access and any green fee directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Les Pins is a course of position and shot making rather than power. The pines press the narrow fairways and the restored Simpson bunkers guard the strategic lines, so the tee shot must find the correct side to open the green. The putting surfaces are subtly contoured and ask for a thoughtful approach, in the classical mould.
The Simpson genius was in tempting the golfer toward risk, and the restoration has brought that back, with carries and angles that reward the bold and punish the loose. The forest gives the course shelter and a sense of seclusion, each hole framed by pines, and the changes in elevation through the dunes add variety without ever feeling forced.
The round builds to a strong, strategic finish among the tallest pines, a test of nerve and placement to the close. There is no ocean drama here, but in the quality of its architecture and the purity of its restoration Les Pins is a course any student of design will savour. With the sister Les Dunes course alongside, Hardelot is a destination in its own right.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visiting golfers; book a tee time in advance, especially over the summer high season |
| Green fee | Indicative 18 hole green fee from around €90, higher at weekends and in peak summer, with winter rates lower (indicative, 2025) |
| Booking | Reserve through the club; stay and play packages combine Les Pins with the sister Les Dunes course |
| On the day | Walking course with carts available; the forest gives shelter but bring layers for the Channel coast |
| Getting there | About two hours from Calais and the Channel Tunnel, near Le Touquet on the Pas de Calais coast |
| Best months | April to October for the warmest northern French golf, though the forest plays well in the shoulder seasons |
Access and fees verified June 2026; policies and rates change, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in the elegant resort town of Le Touquet, a short drive south, or in Hardelot itself, both within easy reach of the course and the beaches. The northern French coast combines the golf with seafood, the markets and the broad sand beaches, and it is one of the most accessible golf trips from the United Kingdom.
Hardelot pairs naturally with Le Touquet's own courses and the wider golf coast of northern France for a long weekend tour, easily reached by the Channel Tunnel or the ferry. With more time, Paris and its championship courses are a couple of hours south by road or rail.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Hardelot and Le Touquet.
Build a northern France golf trip
We secure Hardelot Les Pins tee times, pair them with Le Touquet and the northern French golf coast and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Hardelot Les Pins questions
Who designed Hardelot Les Pins and when did it open?
Les Pins at Golf d'Hardelot was designed by the British architect Tom Simpson and opened in 1931, set in the pine forest near Le Touquet in northern France.
What is the par and length of Les Pins?
Les Pins is a par 71 of about 6,460 yards, a forest course of position and strategy in the classical British mould.
Has Hardelot Les Pins been renovated?
Yes. The Dutch architect Frank Pont, with Patrice Boissonnas, spent three years restoring the course from Tom Simpson's original drawings, rebuilding the bunkers to recover the strategic design.
Can visitors play Hardelot Les Pins?
Yes. The course welcomes visiting golfers; tee times should be booked in advance, and stay and play packages combine it with the sister Les Dunes course.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Opening year, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.