Murrays summary:

An ideal destination to start your discovery of golf in France.

Good for:

•  A first foray into French golf

•  International cuisine

Not so good for:

•  Genuine French atmosphere

•  Uncrowded courses at weekends

If you live in the South-East of England, Belgium, Holland or Denmark and are thinking of playing golf abroad then the towns of France's Pas de Calais region - Hardelot and Le Touquet - are by far the easiest destinations to get to.

Their proximity to the Eurotunnel and ferry terminals (45 minutes or so) have made the towns and Golf Clubs of Hardelot and Le Touquet very popular with British golfers - a market to which they unashamedly pander.  Everybody speaks English and menus are widely available in English (more often than not featuring plenty of British dishes).

The beach at Hardelot

This is not to say that the golf isn't any good; on the contrary there are four very strong courses in the Pas de Calais, with a healthy supporting cast too.  However with so many golfers coming here the courses can be very busy - particularly at the weekends; best to play midweek if you can.

This all makes it very easy for anyone nervous about getting by in France, maybe for the first time?  But for a more authentic French atmosphere try looking elsewhere or consider staying further inland at the medieval town of Montreuil-sur-Mer for example, always popular with tourists looking for an opportunity to practice their French.

Le Touquet - the High Street

Hardelot - Les Pins

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Murray's word

A very traditional parkland layout that runs mainly through pine groves - hence the name.  The strategy on most holes is evident from the Tee although there are a couple of blind drives.  Greens are well proportioned and have a moderate amount of break.  Water comes into play here and there but it is by no means overdone.  A very well laid out course with a high standard of Greenkeeping, certainly in the top three in the area. Clubhouse is quite small in comparison to the number of people who play here each day in season, so the menu is quite snacky.  However staff are good so there is never a problem with service.  (The Dunes Clubhouse offers a more gourmet lunch).

Hardelot - Les Dunes

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Murray's word

The second course at Hardelot; separated from Les Pins by about a kilometre and with its own Clubhouse.  Built on hillier land (consider a buggy) has led to quite a few blind shots, although efforts are constantly being made to make these holes more playable.  In general however, Les Dunes is generally regarded as a tougher courses to score well on.  Two of the original holes (14 & 15) have now been closed (due to wild boar damage) necessitating a slight redesign.  This has resulted in quite an unbalanced course, with some great holes followed by less memorable ones.  E.g. The front nine has a par-3 followed by two par-5's then another par-3: a certain lack of rhythm.  Greens are good and have more borrow than at Les Pins.  A good, if a little tricky course.  Les Dunes Clubhouse is quite a grand affair with a terrace looking out over the 1st Tee and 18th Green and a full restaurant service.

Le Touquet - La Mer

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Murray's word

The best known course along the Pas de Calais coastline and one with a very wild and linksy feel, albeit lying in amongst the more substantial plant life just inland from the big sand dunes fronting the Channel: gorse and stunted trees abound.  The land is a conservation area so their are no houses or other buildings to mar the natural beauty of the landscape.  The dunes feature more and more as the round progresses as does the occasional glimpse of the sea.  Narrow fairways combined with impenetrable gorse, a sea-breeze and the odd water hazard, make La Mer a serious test of golf: higher Handicappers can really struggle.  There is one small Clubhouse at Le Touquet situated by the first Tee of La Fôret, it is best to check-in and then drive around to La Mer where there is normally a Starter in the hut.  It is possible to walk to La Mer across La Fôret course - but it is about a kilometre.

Le Touquet - La Forêt

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Murray's word

Overshadowed by La Mer, La Forêt should not be overlooked.  Many Clubs would be delighted to have La Forêt as their primary course.  Further inland and on level terrain so easily walked, La Forêt is much more of a traditional woodland layout through established pine forest.  The opening holes are quite inviting lined as they are with thin rows of pines but the course soon heads off into denser forest where wayward shots will be much harder to recover from.  Many holes follow the pattern of a wide landing area for your drive followed by an approach to a Green heavily ringed by trees and sand - some very attractive shots.  Maintenance is every bit as good as on La Mer so you should always find it in very good condition.  Small Clubhouse, that has to cater for La Mer and the nine hole Le Manoir course as well; given its size, the staff do a great job coping with hordes of hungry and thirsty golfers.

Belle Dune

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Murray's word

A beguiling course that many golfers come back to year after year.  Perhaps the closest to a true links course that you will find in the Pas de Calais with big dunes covered in marram grasses in places.  A lot of the course is a nature reserve so unspoilt by developers and inhabited by some rare species (not including golfers!). The part of the course around the Clubhouse and closing holes however has been heavily built on by a French holiday home company and their gaudy toytown village detracts somewhat from the natural beauty of the place.  Despite this, Belle Dune is a superb golf course where you will be playing up, down and around the twists and turns of the dunes.  Charming little Clubhouse that resembles a station transplanted from the Festiniogg railway; limited space for changing..

Wimereux

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Murray's word

A small seaside Club that is very close to the ports at Calais and even closer to Boulogne so very handy as a stop en-route to the Eurotunnel or ferry terminals.  Exposed is a good word for Wimereux, at least for those holes that run along the coast with nothing between yourself and the sea breezes whipping in off the Channel; out here you will find the bump-and-run shot extremely useful.  Half the holes however are on an inland section and more parkland in style with some trees here and there.  This part of the course lies in a shallow bowl and you will also be more sheltered from the elements.  If the rough has been allowed to flourish then Wimereux can be a tough test, sensibly however the rough is normally kept in check so even if you do wander off line you should be findable and still in play. 

Nampont St. Martin - Cygnes (& Belvedere)

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Murray's word

A small friendly, almost family, Club with two 18 hole courses, that welcomes higher Handicappers and beginners with open arms.
If you would like to try your golfing skills en France but are somewhat daunted by the thought of making an appearance before the critical gaze of confirmed golfers, then Nampont St. Martin is a great place to build your confidence.  Many of the local Members have only recently taken up the game or play infrequently and are consequently très sympathique towards novice golfers.  This is not to say that Les Cygnes is an easy course, far from it!  Water hazards abound and there are a few long carries - so play from the forward Tees if you are in any doubt.  Le Belvedere is a more straightforward and forgiving option.  The courses are in the grounds of an old manorial farmhouse that now makes a lovely Clubhouse and an ideal spot for lunch: all in all a perfect place to take your first few foreign swings.

The Westminster Hotel**** - Le Touquet

Murray's Word

A Le Touquet landmark with its imposing redbrick façade.  The hotel dates from the 1930's and retains a certain air of that glorious era, such as the oak panelled bar and antique wrought iron lift cages (the workings are more recent!).  The bedrooms have been modernised in a variety of colour schemes, some of which we are not too sure about.  If you need Single rooms ask about the "Petit Singles" very good value for individuals.  There are two restaurants: Les Cimaises a relaxed brasserie and the Michelin starred Pavillon where the food and service are exemplary (if a little expensive).  The hotel has also added a mini-spa area with a small indoor pool, jacuzzi and sauna. Tip: The Westminster can be very busy at weekends, so if you can stay midweek it will be quieter and prices are better.  The Westminster offers discounted golf at Le Touquet and Hardelot (as they own these two Clubs).

The Holiday Inn Le Touquet****

Murray's Word

Don't be deceived by the external appearance of the Holiday Inn in Le Touquet: once inside it is a very good and comfortable hotel indeed!  The Holiday Inn is at the entrance to the town of Le Touquet, which means it is about a ten-minute walk down to the high street and the majority of shops, restaurants, bars and beach.  The hotel has a modern "atrium" style with plenty of glass in the ceilings and walls givinmg it a lovely light and airy feel.  Bedrooms make good Doubles and are adequately sized for Twins, however there are some rooms with a third bed on a mezzanine floor upstairs (quite narrow), that make very spacious Twins.  The hotel has a very good restaurant so you don't need to go into town to dine well, a large bar with a patio, medium-sized indoor pool, a small spa area, plus a rooftop tennis court.

Bristol Hotel*** - Le Touquet

Murray's Word

The Bristol Hotel is located down one of the side streets running off Le Touquet's High Street.  It is therefore close to all that Le Touquet has to offer by way of shopping, dining and nightlife: which is quite a lot.
The Bristol does not have a restaurant, just a small bar, however given its town centre location this is not a major drawback.
A straightforward town centre hotel.

The Red Fox Hotel** - Le Touquet

Murray's Word

The Red Fox Hotel is a simple hotel, right in the centre of Le Touquet.

Le Touquet

The town of Le Touquet occupies a corner of land sandwiched between the estuary of the river Canche and the sea.  It has long been a tourist destination (its soubriquet "Paris-Plage" is a bit of a giveaway). Over the years it has grown to fill the land available, which is not vast, so it remains a town that you can easily stroll around and very nice it is too.  In the Summer months the town gets pretty busy but the season is quite marked, so once the school holidays are over the towns streets are given back over to the golfing fraternity who travel here throughout the year.

There are all manner of bars and cafés lining the streets of Le Touquet, plus several late night clubs such as the Blue Parrot (geo-zoologically next to the Red Fox hotel) and Le Pharaoh upstairs in the old cinema on the main street are just two options.  Gamblers can make the most of the two Casinos in town, one opposite the Westminster the other on the Ave. de Gaulle (High Street).

Dining in Le Touquet

There is no shortage of choice when it comes to dining in Le Touquet.  Possibly the best known restaurant is Pérards (+33 3 21 05 13 33) a fish restaurant which is actually in the wet-fish shop of the same name.  His fish soup has become a bit of a delicacy (the dish really hails from Brittany, although this is open to endless discussion...).  In any case, jars of the rich brown liquid can be bought in their shop/restaurant and are now on sale in various delicatessens and the Eurotunnel terminal.

Other restaurants we would recommend are: Les 2 Moineaux (+33 3 21 05 09 67) at the seaside end of the high street, which serves traditional French cuisine to a very high standard.  It's only small so make sure you pop-in and book a table or telephone.

On the High Street you will find Café des Sports (+33 3 21 05 05 22) a brasserie that serves good food with no delay (and has a great value wine list).  No need to book really as if they are full you will not have to wait long for a table; they also serve until late, so handy if you have enjoyed a twilight round.

Other good restaurants are: Le Village Suisse (+33 3 21 05 69 93) near the Westminster: La Dune aux Loups (+33 3 21 05 42 54) is tucked away in the woods towards the airport (the airport restaurant is very good too, although not open all day everyday).

Hardelot

Hardelot is a much smaller town than Le Touquet, composed mainly of apartment blocks that line the huge sandy beach.  There is one little row of shops with a few bars and restaurants: La Terrasse (+33 3 21 83 72 27) on the small square (Place de la Concorde!) is one of the best on offer and open all year round.

If you don't mind a short drive then the old town of Boulogne has quite a few nice restaurants in the old part of town: it's no Monte Carlo but pleasant enough and not far away where you can dine well.

Montreuil-sur-Mer

The old walled town of Montreuil-sur-Mer believe it or not used to be on the sea-shore!  It is now some ten kilometres inland, which just shows how times change!

It is a storybook French medieval walled town with narrow cobbled streets around some large squares.  It was the setting for the first half of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables and now every Summer scenes from the musical are re-enacted as a son-et-lumière show.  Montreuil is perfect for strolling and browsing the shops and attracts many day-trippers, but thankfully has not descended into total tourism.

For dining out in Montreuil there are many options from simple crêperies to thoroughly gourmet experiences.  At the very top end of the scale is La Grenouillière (+33 3 21 06 07 22) which is in fact below the town down on the river bank and serves exquisite food in a lovely setting.  One of our favourites in Montreuil itself is the Clos des Capucins (+33 3 21 06 08 65) which has a traditional menu (and a few cheap bedrooms too).  In a similar vein is Le Coquempot at Le Coq hotel (+33 3 21 81 05 61) and Le Darnetal (+33 3 21 06 04 87), which are two more very classic French restaurants that sit facing each other on the Place des Poissonières.  A short stroll around the town will reveal many others too.

Arriving by car

The easiest way by far to get to the Pas de Calais is via the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais (35mins. crossing) or car-ferries from Dover to Calais or Boulogne (90mins. crossing).

Once you disembark at Calais it will take about half an hour to get to Hardelot and and extra quarter of an hour to carry on down to Le Touquet; from Boulogne it's 10-15 minutes quicker. 

The A16 motorway runs all the way from Calais down the coast and is toll free as far as Boulogne.

To book your Channel Crossings click on a logo below to go directly to that company's website.

Arriving by air

Le Touquet has a small airport, suited mainly to private light aircraft, although there are commercial services available from the UK that depart from Lydd and Biggin Hill airports. 

The airports will also be able to put you in touch with chartering companies should you be interested in chartering an aircraft for your trip.

For more information on flights to Le Touquet click on the logos below to go through to the appropriate websites.