Tee-off or tasting? There is no need to choose, they go together perfectly. Stays combining golf and relaxation in Alsace, a round and tasting in Champagne or even Swin golf (played on natural prairies and with a larger golf ball) in Cognac: wine enthusiasts and golf fans will be delighted to know you can mix this demanding sport and an exploration of great wines.
Combine tees and tastings
Gastronomy and golf on the Alsace Wine Route
At the center of Alsace, conquer the 18-hole course at Ammerschwihr (External link) , followed by a wine-tasting with a nearby producer. If standing on the green has your legs a bit tired, just pull up a chair to the dining table and enjoy a wonderful traditional meal served with the right local wines.
Little white ball and …Champagne bubbles!
For those who like the lighter side of things, Dumont Champagne (External link) organizes a “golf and champagne day” at the Ermitage course (External link) . After an 18-hole round (Par 72 and 6,241m), Tina Dumont will invite you in to their champagne house to taste several batches all whilst chatting about your sporting exploits.
Golf de L'Ermitage – Vendeuvre-sur-Barse – Tel.: +33 (0)3 25 41 11 11
Champagne R. Dumont et Fils – Champignol-lez-Mondeville – Tel.: +33 (0)3 25 27 45 95
Swin golf in the vineyards
Swin golf is an accessible variation on classic golf. Open to experienced golfers, beginners or simply those who love open-spaces and hiking.
In Cognac
15 minutes from Cognac, venture in to the labyrinth of vines at Cep Enchanté (External link) , put in place by Juliette and Jean-François Quéron on their wine-growing estate of Plantis des Vallées. You can try Swin Golf amongst truffle-oak trees and vines here.
Tel.: +33 (0)5 46 26 67 76
In Bergerac
On the hillsides of Monbazillac, the Borie Blanche (External link) estate offers, alongside its tastings of the famous fortified wine, a 9-hole Swin golf course (Par 34 and 1,130m).
Tel.: +33 (0)5 53 73 02 45
Accommodation between greens and vines
Bergerac: golf and gastronomy at the Château des Vigiers
Located in the Dordogne, between the vineyards of Bergerac and Duras, the Château des Vigiers (External link) is a 4* hotel with 87 rooms, in the centre of 150 hectares of wilderness. Surrounded by a 27-hole course, a 6-hole initiation course, an oak forest and a vineyard, and ideal for a gastronomic stop-over with two restaurants, the hotel’s beauty institute is ideal for a relaxation session.
Tel.: +33 (0)5 53 61 50 00
A loft between vines and greens in the South-West
Within the Landes areas of the Béarn and Gers counties, Bahus-Soubiran is a small village in the heart of the Tursan wine protected designation of origin area, whose wine-makers’ cooperative and wine house are just a few kilometres from the pretty 14th century manor house of Geaune. The Logis de la Mordorée (External link) has cosy lofts in a converted barn. From there you can take a foodie trip to Eugénie-les-Bains, the place for diet cooking with Michel Gérard, or take in a round at the course nearby – some of the lofts have views over the greens.
Tel.: +33 (0)5 40 47 14 29
Comfort and luxury in Burgundy
The Roncemay Golf Course (External link) is said to be one of France’s most beautiful. In the municipality of Alliant-sur-Tholon, near the historical and artistic city of Auxerre in the Yonne region, this splendid 18-hole course is an integral part of the Domaine du Roncemay estate – a 4* hotel and restaurant set in a 140 hectare tree-covered park. The 15 rooms and 3 suites, decorated with stylish furniture in an authentic and charming style, offer comfort and calm in the heart of the vineyards.
Tel.: +33 (0)3 86 73 50 50
Courses through the vineyards
Bordeaux: to every vineyard its course
The Aquitaine region, home to golf for continental Europe, has many courses around Bordeaux and in the centre of the prestigious wine appellations of Médoc, Margaux, Graves and Libournais. The Médoc and Margaux Golf Courses (External link) have teamed up with the estates in the protected designation areas, whose wines they serve in their restaurants, to open their doors to golfers.
Cognac, a green in the countryside
The Cognac Golf Course (External link) is located in the village of Saint Brice, 5km from Cognac itself. This marvellous 18-hole, Par72, course has been built amongst vines and on the hillside which looks over the Charente River.
Tel.: +33 (0)5 45 32 18 17
Val de Sorne Golf Course in the Jura
Perfectly mapped out in the valley, the Val de Sorne course (External link) is known as one of the 20 most beautiful courses in France. In the Vernantois municipality, it has a series of remarkable vistas as much over the vineyards, as of the caves, the limestone blind valleys, and charming villages. This 18-hole, Par 72 and 6,000m long, 132 slope, is still very accessible. The 3* hotel with swimming pool and sauna, has 35 completely renovated rooms for golfers and wine-lovers to come and take a break.
Tel.: +33 (0)3 84 43 22 11