TRAVELLING THE FAIRWAYS
Passion, commitment and expertise in Golf Travel since 1989
Paris & surrounds, France
Arrival and departure from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Bespoke itinerary to include deluxe accommodation, golf, dedicated driver and transport for the duration of your trip. See transport options.
Recommended golf courses include:
Fontainebleau
Les Bordes
Morfontaine
Golf de Morfontaine
Golf de Chantilly
Le Golf National
Golf de Joyenval
Golf de Saint-Germain
Golf de Saint-Cloud
La Boulie
A Golfing Legacy Written in Classic Design
France may not have the reputation of a links golf mecca, but it offers something rarer: one of the largest concentrations of untouched, early-20th-century golf architecture in Continental Europe. Many of its finest clubs were shaped by the golden-age architects who defined golf in Britain and Ireland, including Tom Simpson, and remain remarkably true to their original design.
Add world-class food and wine, a sophisticated golf culture and easy access from Paris, and France delivers championship-calibre golf alongside exceptional culture. Having hosted the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National and the Olympic Games, and with the Open de France dating back to 1906, France is a destination rich in heritage, exclusivity and outstanding course design, yet still surprisingly overlooked.
Within an hour of central Paris sits a cluster of golf clubs that quietly rivals anything in Europe — many of them private, members-only, and rarely open to outside visitors. This is where Travelling the Fairways can open doors that don't open for everyone: access to storied, invitation-only clubs like Morfontaine and Chantilly, alongside modern classics like Les Bordes, all set within an easy drive of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Michelin-starred dining.
Golf de Morfontaine
Ranked the #1 course in France, Morfontaine is a monument to Tom Simpson's original design — one of the most complete and unaltered examples of golden-age architecture anywhere in the world. It remains a private club, and access is one of the true privileges of a TTF-arranged trip.
Le Golf National
The stage for the 2018 Ryder Cup and the 2024 Olympic golf competitions, Le Golf National's Albatros course is France's premier stadium test — a modern championship layout that's hosted the Open de France annually since 1991. Water comes into play on 11 of the Albatros's 18 holes, with a spectacular water-lined finish on holes 15, 16 and 18.
Golf de Chantilly
Forty-five minutes north of Paris, in the forest beside the Château de Chantilly, Vineuil is the senior of Chantilly's two courses — extended to 18 holes by Tom Simpson in 1920 and later restored by Donald Steel. It hosted the Open de France eleven times and remains one of the most respected tests in the country.
Les Bordes Golf Club
Home to two exceptional courses, Les Bordes combines Robert von Hagge’s iconic Old Course with Gil Hanse’s modern New Course. The Old winds dramatically through the Sologne forest around a series of lakes, while the New offers a contrasting heathland experience with a more open, strategic feel. Together, they provide two very different but equally memorable tests within one spectacular private estate.
Golf de Fontainebleau
Set within the historic Forest of Fontainebleau, this Tom Simpson design is considered one of the finest — and most under-the-radar — courses in France. Sandy, heathland-style terrain and mature forest give it a character closer to Sunningdale than a typical French club, and its setting beside the royal Château de Fontainebleau makes it a natural first stop.
Golf de Saint-Germain
A classic Harry Colt design set within the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, just west of Paris. With a long history of hosting the French Open, the course combines mature woodland, natural sandy terrain and the strategic design for which Colt is renowned. The sandy, free-draining ground gives the course a distinctive heathland feel, with natural contours and well-placed hazards rewarding thoughtful course management.
Golf de Saint-Cloud
A historic Harry Colt design just west of Paris, Golf de Saint-Cloud’s Vert course has hosted the French Open 14 times. The standout is the 8th hole, a par 3 with the Eiffel Tower directly in line with the hole, creating one of the most memorable views in Parisian golf.
Golf de Joyenval
Set in the Forêt de Marly, around 20 minutes west of Paris, Golf de Joyenval features two Robert Trent Jones Sr. courses within the historic Désert de Retz. Both wind through mature woodland and rolling terrain, with elevation changes, strategic bunkering and flowing fairways creating a varied test, while the surrounding 18th-century landscape garden adds to the unique setting.
Featured Hotels
Paris offers an excellent choice of hotels for golfers and sightseers alike, from iconic five-star addresses steeped in history to characterful boutique properties in some of the city’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. For those looking to combine golf with exploring Paris, we can tailor the location around your itinerary, whether that means staying in the heart of the city for easy access to the sights and restaurants, or on the outskirts near the Boulevard Périphérique for easier access to the golf courses.
This gives you the best of both worlds: the opportunity to enjoy the culture, dining and atmosphere of central Paris, while keeping travel times to the courses more manageable. Below are a selection of hotels we particularly like.
Hôtel Elysia, Paris
The Elysia, a luxurious five star boutique hotel, is located in a beautiful Haussmannian building in the heart of Paris’s prestigious 8th arrondissement, just a few steps from the Champs-Élysées. With 33 bedrooms and six suites, the hotel combines classic Parisian character with contemporary comfort and discreet luxury.
The Elysia is home to Le Bayadère restaurant and bar, serving contemporary French cuisine, as well as a spa, sauna, hammam and fitness room. The hotel also offers a range of personalised services, including concierge assistance and 24-hour room service.
Ideally located on Rue de Berri, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and the luxury boutiques and restaurants of the 8th arrondissement, making it an excellent base for exploring Paris.
Hotel Fouquet's, Paris
Hôtel Fouquet’s Paris is a truly special Parisian address, steeped in more than 125 years of history and located on the world-famous Champs-Élysées. Fouquet’s has been an iconic meeting place for Parisian society, artists, actors and international celebrities since the legendary brasserie first opened its doors in 1899. Today, the hotel brings together this rich heritage with contemporary five-star luxury, creating a refined and distinctly Parisian atmosphere.
Set within the prestigious Golden Triangle, the hotel offers 101 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, combining classic Haussmannian touches with elegant contemporary design. Guests can dine at the legendary Brasserie Fouquet’s or Signature Joy restaurant, enjoy cocktails across three distinctive bars, or retreat to the exceptional Decorté Spa, complete with a 15-metre swimming pool and luxurious treatments.
An exclusive address in one of the world’s most celebrated locations, Hôtel Fouquet’s Paris offers a truly unforgettable way to experience the City of Light.
Molitor Hotel & Spa Paris
Molitor Paris is a truly iconic Parisian landmark, opening in 1929 as one of the city’s most fashionable swimming pools and social meeting places. Closed in 1989, the abandoned Art Deco complex became an underground home for artists and street art before being carefully restored and reopened as a luxury hotel in 2014, preserving much of its remarkable character and history.
Hôtel l’Échiquier Opéra Paris
Hôtel l’Échiquier Opéra Paris is a charming historic 4* boutique hotel tucked away on a quiet street just moments from the lively Grands Boulevards. The building dates back to the 16th century, when it was owned by King Henry IV and used as a hunting lodge, and today combines its rich history and beautiful period features with elegant Art Nouveau-inspired interiors and a distinctly Parisian atmosphere.
