Northern France Golf Adventure

Northern France has quietly established itself as one of Europe's most accessible and rewarding golf destinations and our recent familiarisation trip to the Le Touquet region has only reinforced this reputation.

With its perfect blend of championship golf courses, charming accommodations and vibrant town life, this corner of France offers everything the modern golf traveller could desire.

The Red Fox Hotel
Our expectations were pleasantly exceeded at The Red Fox, which proved far more comfortable than anticipated. The amenities are well-suited for golfers, with practical touches that show an understanding of their clientele's needs. The location offers easy access to local attractions, and for those seeking a touch of regional character, rooms overlooking the Globe Trotter pub provide an authentic Le Touquet experience.

Best for: Budget-conscious groups seeking solid comfort and convenience.

Le Manoir Hotel
Le Manoir impressed with its prime location near the clubhouse and exceptional classic French cuisine. The villa option works brilliantly for groups of six golfers comfortable with twin-room sharing. The availability of Uber services directly from the hotel adds a modern convenience that enhances the overall experience.

Best for: Golfers wanting proximity to courses with authentic French dining.

Hotel Barriere Le Westminster
This five-star establishment represents the pinnacle of luxury in the region. While we didn't inspect the rooms, the impressive restaurants and prime location near the casino suggest this is where discerning golfers should base themselves for a premium experience.

Best for: High-end golf groups seeking luxury and fine dining.

La Mer Course - The Premium Experience

La Mer stands out as the jewel in Northern France's golfing crown. This links-style course delivers a "lynxy feel" with stunning coastal views that rival Scotland's finest. The recently upgraded clubhouse is exceptional, offering impressive dining options and modern amenities including GPS-equipped buggies with music systems.

Key Details:

• Style: Premium links course
• Buggies: Plentiful and high-quality with GPS
• Clubhouse: Modern and impressive
• Note: 15-20 minute walk from clubhouse to first tee

La Foret Course - The Accessible Challenge

La Foret provides a more forgiving parkland experience, perfect for less experienced golfers or those seeking a more relaxed round. It complements La Mer perfectly, offering variety within the same excellent facility.

Key Details:

• Well established: One of the oldest courses in France
• Style: Parkland secluded, tranquil setting

Les Pins Course - Surrey Meets France

Les Pins delivers pristine, tree-lined golf reminiscent of England's finest Surrey courses. Its convenient location makes it ideal for arrival, departure, or mid-trip rounds. The course condition is exemplary, and while buggies aren't essential, they enhance the "holiday golf" experience.

Perfect for: Traditional parkland golf enthusiasts

Les Dunes Course - Tree-lined Tranquility

The course winds through rolling dunes, tranquil lakes and mature woodland, creating both beauty and challenge in equal measure. Its tree-lined fairways and subtly sloping greens are defended by well-placed bunkers, demanding accuracy and precision on every shot. Short yet intricate, Les Dunes is praised for its superb conditioning and strategic design—an inviting test that rewards control while punishing wayward play.

Playing Tip: Keep on the fairways otherwise you will come unstuck

Belle Dune - The Hidden Gem

Belle Dune emerged as the surprise star of our review. This genuine golf club (not a resort) offers two distinctly different styles of nine holes, creating variety and interest throughout the round. The club's flexibility in accommodating group needs, including sourcing additional buggies when required, demonstrates their commitment to visiting golfers.

Standout Features: • Contrasting hole designs • Excellent value compared to premium courses • 1 in 8 group discount • Irrigation system that maintains quality year-round • Genuine club atmosphere

Saint-Oner - The Value Play

Saint-Omer offers a tale of two nines: a scorable front nine and a challenging, hilly back nine. The course conditions can be variable, but the value proposition is strong, especially with the on-site hotel's off-season promotion of two nights for the price of one. Essential tip: pre-book buggies due to the demanding terrain.

Wimereux - Historic Charm

While not matching the standard of other courses in the region, Wimereux possesses genuine charm and historical character. Its proximity to Calais makes it perfect for arrival or departure day rounds. The old bunkers and clubhouse views add to its authentic appeal. This is a cracking course for historical golf enthusiasts.

My colleague Caroline hit the nail on the head when she said Le Touquet exceeded expectations - this town offers far more than a typical golf destination and appeals to all age groups.

Dining and Entertainment
The restaurant scene impressed our entire group, with options ranging from traditional French bistros to contemporary international cuisine. There's something for everyone, from sophisticated dining for older couples to vibrant nightlife for younger groups.

Accessibility and Convenience
Le Touquet is perfect for first-time overseas golf trips. The Eurotunnel journey is smooth and short and the Uber availability throughout the town is perfect for those staying at outlying accommodations.

Shopping and Amenities
Caroline also recommended the shopping center en route as a handy stop for bathroom breaks or watching football, practical details that add real value to the overall experience.

Having evaluated countless golf destinations, I can confidently say that Ben Davies summed it up perfectly when he concluded that Le Touquet "ticks every single box" for the majority of customers. The combination of world-class golf, excellent accommodations, vibrant town life, and easy accessibility creates something truly special.

Practical Planning Tips

• Transportation: Consider driving to Le Touquet rather than walking
• Buggies: Essential at Saint-Omer, recommended but not crucial elsewhere
• Timing: Belle Dune's clubhouse closes early so plan accordingly
• Group Discounts: Take advantage of Belle Dune's offer for larger groups
• Accommodation Strategy: Luxury (Westminster), convenience (Le Manoir), value (Red Fox)

Final Verdict
Northern France, centred around Le Touquet, delivers on every level that matters to the modern golf traveller. The combination of world-class golf courses, excellent accommodations, vibrant town life, and easy accessibility creates a destination that "ticks every single box" for the majority of golfers.

Whether you're planning a weekend break or an extended golf holiday, Northern France offers the perfect blend of challenge and relaxation, tradition and modernity, all within easy reach of the UK. This region has firmly established itself as a must-visit destination for any serious golf traveller.

Highly recommended for golfers of all levels seeking an accessible, high-quality European golf experience.

Handicap: 5
Favourite Course: Pebble Beach
My 'Expert' areas: France, Cyprus & Southern Spain
Best trip I've done: California
Where my next trip is to: Cyprus

Give James a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.