| France is a golf enthusiasts' heaven. However, it also | | | | massive Romanesque spa and 36 holes of great golf. |
| boasts more hotels than any other European country | | | | With a Michelin-star restaurant, two other eateries |
| and this huge choice can confuse and waste time. | | | | and huge, very comfortable bedrooms, the resort |
| Plus, the hotel star-rating in France does not include a | | | | has proven to be deservedly popular in the three |
| Five-Star - even though the country has several of | | | | years since it was opened. |
| the finest hotels in the world...President Sarkozy | | | | And with such a central location, you can get to |
| wants to reinvent the hotel rating system...But not | | | | other great courses such as Taulane, Royal Mougins |
| until 2011. | | | | and Barbaroux and visit Cannes and Saint Tropez. |
| So, we've trimmed the field down to the top five | | | | However, once you get to FourSeasons Provence, |
| places to stay on your golfing holiday in France - | | | | you won't want to live. It's the Dolce Vita in |
| these are destinations in their own right, places | | | | Provence. |
| where the most discerning golfer (and non-golfer) will | | | | 2. Hotel Normandy Barriere, Deauville |
| be very happy. Places where you can eat, sleep and | | | | Three hours from Calais, the Hotel Normandy Barriere |
| play in the greatest of comfort. | | | | is perfect for those looking for great golf during the |
| 5. Hotel and Spa de La Bretesche, Brittany | | | | day and lots of après-golf in the afternoon |
| One of only three resorts in France to open a golf | | | | and by night. The hotel is a huge Normandy mansion, |
| course, spa and Michelin-Star, La Bretesche is also a | | | | impeccably maintained and located on the beach. With |
| member of the reputed Relais et Chateaux | | | | a casino, theatre and lots of shops and sports on its |
| association. Located on a beautiful lake and adjacent | | | | doorstep, golfers and their non-golfing companions will |
| to a fairy-tale chateau, La Bretesche has only 28 | | | | be more than content. The Hotel Normandy Barriere |
| bedrooms but lots of top-notch facilities. Inside, the | | | | has a special place in my heart as that is where I |
| hotel sports a new, more contemporary look and it | | | | met my wife...We try and go back there every year |
| contracts very nicely with the stone buildings. The | | | | and it's as good as it's ever been. A real French icon |
| Hotel and Spa de La Bretesche provides a perfect | | | | and close to three super courses. |
| place to stay for anyone on a Golfing Holiday in | | | | 1. Trianon Palace, Versailles |
| Brittany, combining luxury with easy access to some | | | | The Trianon Palace in Versailles hosted the Treaty of |
| of the most charming ports and towns in France. | | | | Versailles to end WWI. It's a stunning building in a |
| 4. Royal Champagne, Champagne | | | | stunning location - looking out over the gardens of |
| A list of great hotels wouldn't be complete without | | | | the Chateau de Versailles. With a complete |
| one in Champagne. The region features some | | | | refurbishment, a beautiful spa and Gordon Ramsay's |
| outstanding places - all with the advantage of being | | | | first French restaurant, it's set for the 21st-Century |
| located in the most famous vineyards in the world. | | | | but keeps it history in full show too. |
| The Royal Champagne is decorated with great taste | | | | As well as visiting the chateau and beautiful town, |
| - glamorous yet cosy, and offers a gastronomic | | | | golfers can play Golf National, the home of the |
| restaurant, afternoon teas overlooking the vineyards | | | | French Open, Saint Germain, Le Prieure and Golf |
| and bedrooms to die for. A truly French Golf holiday, | | | | Parc...Four courses to whet the appetite of any |
| just three hours from Calais. | | | | serious golfer. Under three hours from Calais and just |
| 3. FourSeasons, Provence | | | | 30 minutes from the Eurostar station at Gare du |
| FourSeasons is the world-leader in hotel service and | | | | Nord, you've got Paris/culture/golf/gastronomy and |
| its resort in Provence is no exception. Plus, it's in a | | | | style all rolled into one. |
| secluded yet very central location and it's got a | | | | |