Old Course Cannes Mandelieu
Underwritten by the exiled Grand Duke Michael of Russia and laid out by Harry Colt in 1891, the Old Course is the oldest on the Cote d'Azur. A par 71 of about 5,578 metres beneath century old umbrella pines, it still ferries players across the Siagne by boat, a round steeped in Riviera history a few minutes from Cannes.
Photo: Golf Old Course Cannes Mandelieu via Google.
The verdict
The Old Course at Cannes Mandelieu is a piece of living golf history. The exiled Grand Duke Michael of Russia underwrote the club in 1891, and the British architect Harry Colt designed the original nine, the layout known today as the Grand Duke. It is the oldest golf course on the French Riviera and one of the most atmospheric in the country.
What sets it apart is the setting. The flat parkland sits between the Bay of Cannes and the Siagne river, shaded by towering umbrella pines that are well over a century old, and a small ferry still carries players across the water between holes. It is not a long or punishing course, but it is a delight to walk and a must for anyone who cares about where the game came from. Pair it with the modern tests at Terre Blanche and Royal Mougins for a complete Riviera trip.
Old Course Cannes Mandelieu at a glance
- Opened
- 1891
- Designer
- Harry Colt
- Type
- Riverside parkland
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 5,578 m
- Green fee
- Seasonal, indicative
Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases including the Cultural Landscape Foundation. The club was underwritten by Grand Duke Michael of Russia in 1891 with Harry Colt designing the original course; the 18 hole Old Course plays to par 71 of about 5,578 metres. Green fees vary by season and are indicative for 2026, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Old Course plays flat and tight, its corridors defined not by length but by the avenues of umbrella pines that have stood for more than a hundred years. Accuracy off the tee is everything, since the trees and the river leave little room for the wayward shot.
The river itself is part of the experience. A small ferry carries players across the Siagne between the 2nd and 3rd holes and again between the 12th and 13th, a quirk found at few courses anywhere and a reminder of the leisurely Riviera world in which the club was born.
It is a course to savour rather than to attack, a par 71 that rewards placement and a deft short game over power. Walk it slowly, enjoy the shade of the pines and the glimpses of the bay, and you understand why generations of travelling golfers have made the pilgrimage to Mandelieu.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visitors with a tee time; a popular resort style course that welcomes green fee play |
| Green fee | Published seasonally and varies by month (indicative, 2026), always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve ahead in spring and autumn high season; the trip team can secure tee times across the Riviera |
| On the day | A flat, walkable layout; the river ferry operates as part of the round |
| Getting there | At Mandelieu-la-Napoule, about 10 minutes west of Cannes and 30 minutes from Nice Cote d'Azur Airport |
| Best months | April to June and September to October for warm, settled Riviera weather and the best course conditions |
Access and pricing verified June 2026; rates and policies change by season, so always confirm directly before planning a visit with the golf shop or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in Cannes or along the coast at Mandelieu and Theoule, where seafront hotels, fine dining and the glamour of the Croisette are all within easy reach. A Cannes base puts the Old Course minutes away and the wider Riviera at your door.
Inland, the hills above Cannes hold the resort golf at Terre Blanche and the polished Royal Mougins, so a Riviera trip can swing easily from this historic riverside course to modern championship layouts. It is one of the most rewarding regions in Europe to combine golf with food, sea and sun.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Cannes.
Build a French Riviera golf trip
We secure tee times at the Old Course and pair them with Terre Blanche, Royal Mougins and the best of the Riviera, then book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Old Course Cannes Mandelieu questions
Who designed the Old Course at Cannes Mandelieu and when did it open?
The club was underwritten by the exiled Grand Duke Michael of Russia in 1891, with the British architect Harry Colt designing the original course. It is the oldest golf course on the French Riviera.
What is the par and length of the Old Course Cannes Mandelieu?
The 18 hole Old Course plays to par 71 of about 5,578 metres, a flat riverside parkland defended by avenues of century old umbrella pines rather than by length.
Is there really a ferry on the course?
Yes. A small ferry carries players across the Siagne river between the 2nd and 3rd holes and again between the 12th and 13th, one of the most distinctive features in European golf.
Can visitors play the Old Course Cannes Mandelieu?
Yes. It is a popular resort style course that welcomes visitors with a tee time, subject to availability. Reserve ahead in high season and confirm any green fee directly before arriving.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
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.