Golf breaks around Caen and Deauville

Golf de Beuzeval

Slightly inland from the swish seaside resort of Deauville and handy for the ferry port at Ouistreham (a little more than half an hour away), is the beautiful Golf de Beuzeval. Dominated in part by the splendid château nestling in the river valley this course offers a combination of Normandy countryside and wonderful views over the Channel, particularly on the fabulous 15th, a par five par excellence. Dating back to 1980, and designed by none other than Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas, this is a private course that has always extended a warm welcome, especially to the many British golfers who come back time and again. Your round gets off to a strong start, with three holes down by the lake. Some rate the third as the signature hole, but, like all the best courses, there are several contenders, and beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

Our opinion: A popular course with our clients. Favourite Hole: 3rd.

Golf de Garcelles

In the heart of Normandy, 10 minutes south of Caen, is Golf de Garcelles whose 18 holes represent a tricky challenge to any golfer. The first 9 holes in the flat area, is composed of long fairways that allow you to play strong shots whereas the back 9 in the woods demand precision and daring, with 5 holes skirting stretches of water with thin fairways framed by trees. This variety enables you to avoid monotony and to alternate power and technique.

Our opinion: A good location for your final round, 20 minutes from the ferry port. Favourite Hole: 16th.

Omaha Beach Golf Club Mer

With a combination of four very different nine hole loops, there's a rich variety of golf at Omaha Beach and a wealth of history and culture. La Mer has holes named after Second World War figures (including Churchill, Eisenhower and De Gaulle). With spectacular views of the D-Day landing beaches and a poignant memorial near the gun emplacements at the back of the sixth green, this course offers Le Bocage (Hedgerow), L'Etang (Pond) and the most recent section, Le Manoir (Manor), to make up a terrific sporting test with different challenges either along the coast or in rich rolling countryside. Be sure to sample calvados, the famously delicious and powerful brandy made from the apples growing in the orchards you'll see on some of the inland holes.

Our opinion: Take a minute when you've played the 6th hole. Favourite Hole: 6th.

Hôtel Mercure, Caen-Port

Reference: HF0249

In Hérouville St Clair on the outskirts of Caen city centre and in the direction of Bayeux and the D-Day landing beaches, this hotel provides a warm welcome and easy access to the golf courses. It has a large pleasant bar, ideal for a relaxing pre-dinner drink after a day on the fairways or visiting the sights, a good restaurant and the comfortable bedrooms all have a shower, complimentary tea and coffee making facilities and air conditioning.

Golf de Deauville - St Gatien

Between picturesque Honfleur and elegant Deauville is Golf de Deauville St Gatien. This 27 hole parkland course is surrounded by forests with superb, open views of the Seine estuary. Half the course is in the valley, while the last nine holes are on beautifully landscaped higher ground. The magnificent timber-framed clubhouse is a former 18th-century cider brewery and offers a warm welcome to all visitors.

Our opinion: Definitely worth a visit. Favourite Hole: 8th.

Golf Club de l'Amirauté

Built on a former stud farm and designed by Bill Baker, the superb course at l'Amirauté is a unique marshland course with long water hazards, wide fairways and large greens. It gives the impression of playing golf in Florida, and from the back tees this can be a real challenge. If you are struggling with the golf you can try to spot the 31 contemporary sculptures found on the course, or have a spot of lunch in the modern clubhouse, which serves excellent food, and is in a superb location with views out towards Deauville.

Our opinion: A great course, normally very quiet. Favourite Hole: 3rd.

Golf de Caen

Golf de Caen in Le Vallon is a public course but much, much better than most municipal equivalents back in the UK. It boasts top-quality undulating greens and is set in a gently rolling rural landscape. just a few miles north of the city. Laid out, like many of the new generations of French courses, by English architects (Fred Hawtree in this case) in the early 1990s, Caen is an interesting combination of hills and woodland which makes it particularly picturesque in the autumn. It's not the most testing of courses, so it's good for mid to high handicappers but it's certainly an enjoyable round of golf with some challenging holes and more than a few water hazards lying in wait.

Our opinion: The location is perfect for our clients. A good course. Favourite Hole: 10th.

Le M Hôtel***

Reference: HF0251

Enjoy the liveliness of Honfleur by day and then wind down in this charming hotel by night. Le M Hôtel is just an easy half-mile walk from the centre of town and is a convenient place to make your base. The accommodation is modern and bedrooms, whilst not large, are pleasantly comfortable. There is an indoor pool, sauna and steam room, and in summer you can relax in the garden with something cool in hand. The beautiful harbour at Honfleur attracts visitors and artists all year who come to enjoy the picturesque setting of this famous fishing port surrounded by tall narrow 17th-18th century buildings. As it's a popular destination there is an abundance of restaurants, many specialising in seafood, and on a Saturday there's a market in the old central square.

Golf de Deauville - St Gatien

Between picturesque Honfleur and elegant Deauville is the Golf de Deauville St Gatien. This 27 hole parkland course is surrounded by forests with superb, open views of the Seine estuary. Half the course is in the valley, while the last nine holes are on beautifully landscaped higher ground. The magnificent timber-framed clubhouse is a former 18th-century cider brewery and offers a warm welcome to all visitors.

Our opinion: Definitely worth a visit. Favourite Hole: 8th.

Golf Barrière de St Julien

Close to Pont l'Evêque, in the heart of the Pays d'Auge is Golf Barrière de St Julien. This traditional style course, with a sprinkling of water hazards, winds through lush Normandy pastures. A very open course in superb settings in one of France's most beautiful regions. Ponds and lakes make for good water hazards and well-placed bunkers are there to catch the wayward. The 9-hole is a good test for beginners and mid-handicappers whilst the 18-hole will suit players of all levels. Following your round you can relax in the well-appointed clubhouse.

Our opinion: Another very good course just outside Deauville. Favourite Hole: 9th.

Golf Barrière de Deauville

The original 18-hole course was built by Tom Simpson in 1929 and in the 60s, Henry Cotton designed a further 9 holes. The 27 holes of Golf Barrière run through through extremely well-maintained woodland on the edge of Deauville. There are magnificent views across both the town and sea, and although not long, the numerous dog-legs and tight fairways demand accuracy from the tee.

Our opinion: A 'must play' but often busy at weekends with members from Paris. Favourite Hole: 17th.

Hostellerie du Vallon, Trouville sur Mer******

Reference: HF2470

The pretty town of Trouville sur Mer, a seaside resort since the 1850s, owes its continuing popularity to two things - a wonderful sandy beach and a willingness to constantly update amenities. Not least of today's attractions is this hotel. In a quiet corner of town, close to the pedestrianised centre and not far from the beach, it has excellent facilities including a fitness centre with an indoor pool, steam bath and sauna plus free parking - a real bonus in summer in Trouville!