25 Jan 2013
Posted by Rory 
The likes of the Algarve in Portugal and the Costa del Sol in Spain have long been popular golf holiday destinations with golfers from the UK & Ireland and for good reason. Enviable climates, an endless array of top class accommodation options and of course a wealth of excellent golf courses are reasons to shout about and while a short flight to one of these destinations is no problem for enthusiastic golfers, there is another golfing hotspot in Continental Europe that is a lot closer to home.
France’s Opal Coast and Le Touquet in particular is a firm favourite with golfers from the UK and Ireland with many of its attractions just an hour or so from Calais. Home to a number of first class golf courses, Le Touquet offers visiting golfers all of the best things associated with a golf holiday. A variety of good golf courses, excellent accommodation as well as delicious food, plenty of charming watering holes – the nightlife is particularly lively in the summer months, with night clubs and discos for the party-goers and an elegant casino for a more refined evening – and a number of historical and cultural attractions are all present. Perhaps one of the best things about Northern France though is that, thanks to the Eurotunnel, golfers can enjoy the freedom that comes with having your own car with you on a golf holiday.
Club rental is not exactly a plus point about golf holidays. Firstly it can often be expensive and let’s face it; we golfers have a certain affinity with our own sticks and playing with strange clubs can often be an uncomfortable experience! Then there is the issue of trying to strategically pack enough stuff to get by both on and off the course with luggage weight restrictions in mind…again; no such problem when travelling on the Eurotunnel.
So travel links to the Opal Coast and Le Touquet offer added convenience on your French Golf Holiday and easy access to some true golfing gems. And speaking of golfing gems…
Le Touquet is awash with excellent golf courses that offer golfers of all abilities exciting challenges and great variety.
First up on the menu is Golf Le Touquet which, while being very French, has strong British roots. The stunning La Mer Course was designed by Harry Colt and its sibling, the La Foret Course, was laid down by Horace Hutchinson.
La Mer is a true links classic with elevated tees, devilish bunkering and firm, fast fairways that snake their way between the giant dunes of the Opal Coast. This is arguably one of the finest links courses outside of the UK & Ireland – this is highlighted by its inclusion in the Top 100 Golf Courses in Europe – and certainly one that can be mentioned in the same breath as the age old classics that reside on our shores.
Le Touquet La Mer is a stunning course full of links character. Be careful not to stray too far off line though and keep that ball flight low when the wind blows!
La Foret on the other hand offers a stark contrast to its rugged sister course. Carved among the stunning pine forests lying just inland, La Foret offers countless beautiful holes and a totally different test of golf to La Mer. Measuring 6,365 yards from the tips, La Foret is not exactly the longest course in the world but thanks to Hutchinson’s creative layout, golfers will be tested from start to finish, especially during the summer months when the fairways are fast and firm. High handicappers in particular will find solace on this more benign layout.
La Foret is an idyllic parkland course that is a far cry from the rugged, windswept fairways of the La Mer Course.
Le Manoir completes the Le Touquet golfing set and again offers something totally different to its more illustrious siblings. Le Manoir is a nine hole course that is perfectly suited to beginners and yet it still offers an enjoyable test of golf to more experienced players. Laid out within the Dunes, Le Manoir offers a small taste of all the facets of the game of Golf.
But what of the accommodation?
Well…like the golf on offer in Le Touquet, the accommodation options offer wondrous variety and quality.
We will kick off the accommodation with an excellent two star offering in the form of the Hotel Red Fox. This classic Le Touquet hotel is situated in the heart of the lively resort town, offering easy access to the town’s shops, restaurants and legendary golf courses. No frills accommodation at its best and prefect for groups of golfers who are looking to spend most of their golf holiday out on the fairways or indeed exploring Le Touquet itself.
Le Manoir is the last on our list and is a firm Your Golf Travel favourite. France’s most famous golf hotel is within easy reach of the town’s charming centre and offers excellent three star hospitality as well as the renowned Le Manoir restaurant and a more informal clubhouse grill. There is also a large outdoor swimming pool, a private tennis court and snooker room. With all this on-site and with golf courses and the delights of the town right on the door step, Le Manoir is tough to beat.
The Hotel Westminster is one of the best in Le Touquet and the best choice for those looking to enjoy an added slice of luxury on their French Golf Holiday.
Hotel Westminster – another sign of the Anglo-French connections in this part of the country – is a more grandiose offering. This four star establishment was named after the Duchess of Westminster and is one of the most desirable hotels in Le Touquet. This hotel is a classy option for a golf holiday, where you can enjoy the grandeur that first put Le Touquet on the map and be close by to the sights and sounds of the town. The Westminster also boasts a British style bar, and restaurants that offer superb a la carte menus meaning weary golfers need not venture out into the town should they desire a more relaxed evening in the hotel.
