Morfontaine vs Fontainebleau
Two Tom Simpson heathland gems within an hour of Paris, and a study in what separates greatness from access. Morfontaine is France's number one course, and one of the most private clubs on earth. Fontainebleau is a glorious Simpson design set in its famous forest, and far easier for a visiting golfer to play. Here is the honest head to head, with our verdict up front.
Photograph: Golf de Morfontaine, via Google
The verdict
On pure quality, Morfontaine wins, and it is not especially close. The Grand Parcours, laid out by Tom Simpson in 1927 on sandy heath north of Paris near Senlis, is ranked the finest course in France and among the very best in continental Europe, a serene, strategic masterpiece of windswept Scots pines, clumps of heather and firm, fast turf that looks and plays like the great heaths of Surrey transplanted to the Oise. The catch is access. Morfontaine is one of the most exclusive private clubs in the world, with no visitor tee times and no green fee, so unless you have a member connection you will admire it only from afar.
Fontainebleau is the answer for almost everyone else, and it is a wonderful course in its own right. Simpson laid it out in 1909 in the celebrated forest south of Paris, a heathland design threading through oak and pine over sandy soil, with sand, heather and the odd sandstone outcrop framing beautifully natural holes. It has long been one of the most admired courses in France, and crucially it is far more open to a visiting golfer, generally welcoming play on weekdays with a handicap. Pick Morfontaine if you are fortunate enough to have access, Fontainebleau if you want a superb Tom Simpson round you can realistically book.
Head to head
| Morfontaine | Fontainebleau | |
|---|---|---|
| Designer | Tom Simpson; Grand Parcours opened 1927, plus the older nine hole Valliere course | Tom Simpson, opened 1909 |
| Setting and style | Sandy heathland of Scots pines and heather in the Oise, north of Paris near Senlis | Heathland threading through the Forest of Fontainebleau, sandy soil and sandstone, south of Paris |
| Ranking | Ranked number one in France and among the very best in continental Europe | One of the most admired courses in France, long near the top of the national rankings |
| Access | Extremely private; essentially members and guests only, no visitor green fees | Private members club, but generally open to visitor play on weekdays with a handicap |
| Distance from Paris | About 30 miles north of the city, roughly an hour by car | About 60 km south of the city, roughly an hour by car |
| Best season | Roughly May to October; the sandy ground drains well and plays firm through the shoulder months | Roughly May to October; the forest setting is glorious in early autumn |
| Who it suits | Connoisseurs with a member connection chasing one of the world's great heathland courses | Visiting golfers who want a superb Simpson heathland round they can actually play |
Course facts and rankings verified June 2026; access policies and fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Morfontaine if
You have a way on, and you want to play one of the finest courses in Europe in near total seclusion. Morfontaine is a pilgrimage for the architecture obsessed, a Tom Simpson heathland design of rare subtlety and serenity that almost no one gets to see, kept quiet and immaculate by its small, private membership. If a member can host you, clear the diary and go, it is a genuine bucket list round and the best golf in France. Without that connection, it is not a realistic plan, and Fontainebleau is the round to chase instead.
Pick Fontainebleau if
You want a great Simpson heathland round near Paris that you can book. Fontainebleau gives a visiting golfer the same designer, the same firm, sandy ground and the same strategic, natural style, set in one of the most beautiful forests in France, with weekday visitor access for players with a handicap. It pairs perfectly with the chateau, the town and a Paris city break, and for most traveling golfers it is the realistic and still memorable way to experience Tom Simpson's work in France.
Plan your France golf trip
A Paris heathland round at Fontainebleau, a wider French tour or a one off if you have access to Morfontaine. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge builds the tee times, lodging and routing, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Morfontaine vs Fontainebleau questions
Is Morfontaine or Fontainebleau better?
Morfontaine is the better course and is ranked the number one in France and among the very best in continental Europe, a Tom Simpson heathland masterpiece on sandy ground north of Paris. The catch is access: it is one of the most private clubs in the world, with no visitor green fees, so most golfers will never get on. Fontainebleau, also a superb Tom Simpson heathland design, set in the forest south of Paris, is far more accessible to a visiting golfer. Pick Morfontaine if you have a member connection, Fontainebleau if you want a glorious Simpson round you can actually book.
Can visitors play Morfontaine?
Very rarely. Golf de Morfontaine is among the most exclusive private clubs in the world, with no public tee times and no green fee for visitors. Play is essentially limited to members and their guests, which is why it remains so quiet and pristine. If you do not have a member connection, Fontainebleau or another Paris area heathland course is the realistic choice. Always confirm access directly before planning.
Who designed Morfontaine and Fontainebleau?
Both are the work of the great British architect Tom Simpson. He designed the eighteen hole Grand Parcours at Morfontaine, which opened in 1927, alongside the older nine hole Valliere course, and he laid out Golf de Fontainebleau in 1909. Simpson's heathland courses in France, including these two and Chantilly, are considered among his finest work.
Where are Morfontaine and Fontainebleau?
Both are within reach of Paris. Morfontaine lies in the Oise about 30 miles north of the city near Senlis, and Fontainebleau sits in its famous forest roughly 60 km south of Paris near the chateau town of the same name. A golfer based in Paris can reach either in around an hour, which makes the capital a natural base for a heathland focused French trip. Always confirm tee times and fees directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and rankings verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.