Terre Blanche: Experiencing France’s premier golf resort
By Jason Scott Deegan, GolfPass Managing Editor
TORRETTES, France – The links golf courses and famous historic hotels of the United Kingdom get much of the attention from American golfers – rightfully so – but to many European “travel experts” and golfers, the Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort in southern France is Europe’s best golf resort.
It’s about time that American golfers started paying attention to this luxury enclave located between Provence and the French Riviera in southern France. Terre Blanche, a World Top 100 Golf Resort, is just 45 minutes from the Nice Cote d’Azur Airport, which is serviced by direct flights from across Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Terre Blanche’s allure is the temptation to enjoy the spoils of two wonderful golf courses, a world-class spa, four restaurants serving the finest French cuisine, including the Michelin-starred, Le Faventia, and 750 acres of natural beauty. Comfort, serenity and elegance all blends together to provide the perfect vacation, whether you’re just playing golf for the day or spending a long weekend staying at the resort.
Playing golf at Terre Blanche
Architect Dave Thomas, famous for The Belfry, a three-time Ryder Cup venue, designed both the Le Chateau Course and the Le Riou Course at Terre Blanche. The eye candy comes from man-made water features that complement idyllic hills and the surrounding forest. The two courses play well off of one another, giving each their own personality and charm.
Le Chateau, a past host of the French Riviera Masters, an event on the European Senior Tour, plays longer and tougher. The 6,616-meter (7,235 yards) uses the natural elevation changes to blend seamlessly into the landscape. Bunkers, trees and bunkers lurk as obstacles at every turn. The waterfall on the par-3 second and the pond on the par-5 sixth add scenery and challenge.
Le Riou gallantly gallops up and down interesting terrain. Nearly 700 yards shorter, it is more appropriate for all skill levels. It’s also more exclusive, since only resort guests and members can play it. Each nine ends memorably — a waterfall framing the par-4 ninth hole and a glorious risk-reward par 5 at the 18th.
The French national team of elite amateurs trains at the Albatros Golf Performance Center, where a two-tiered driving range boasts 64 hitting stations, along with separate training tees, an indoor putting green, two outdoor putting greens, two chipping greens and a grassy driving range with a bunker area.
After golf, it’s wise to enjoy the resort’s food and drink. Walking the grounds is akin to visiting an art gallery. Statues, sculptures, paintings and pictures decorate the public spaces. The brilliance of the chefs create the tasty French cuisine we all crave. The resort treats every dish like it’s prepared for royalty. The flavors of the region’s Mediterranean influence spices up every item on the menu. Les Caroubiers, located inside the golf course clubhouse with a verandah overlooking the 18th hole of the Le Riou Course, serves the best golf course fare you’ve ever had. Even simple entrees like a burger or club sandwich activate the taste buds to a higher level.
For those who really want to celebrate their time at Terre Blanche, Le Gaudina restaurant is more casual than Le Faventia but no less refined, especially when dining on the patio at dusk or savoring every bite at the breakfast buffet.
Visitors rarely leave Terre Blanche unsatisfied. From the first bite to the last putt, it’s arguably the best experience a public golfer in France can have. Don’t miss it.
Click here book your tee time at Terre Blanche to experience it for yourself.