Five Highlights of Golf in the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is known as one of the most beautiful regions in France ý rolling hills, beautiful chateaux, and lush countryside all along the length of the Loire River at its heart. Away from the crowds at the golf courses in the North of France, golf in the Loire Valley is a great pleasure for those in the know. Located at the centre of the country, the Loire is within easy reach of visitors from the UK ý here are just a few of the highlights of a golf holiday to this magical part of Franceý

The Scenery

Known as ýThe Garden of Franceý the Loire Valley is a delight to explore. You can take riverside walks along the Loire itself, explore the shaded woodlands, or go on a day trip to beautiful historic towns such as Tours and Angers. The Loireýs golf courses take full advantage of this gorgeous scenery, and a round of golf here is a real feast for the eyes.

The Weather

Although it is relatively close to the UK, the Loire is far south enough to enjoy excellent year round weather. All of the courses in the region are open and maintained for the whole year ý no matter when you want to play golf in the Loire Valley, youýll enjoy outstanding weather and a great selection of courses.

The Chateaux

The Loire Valley is justly famed for its glorious chateaux. These outstandingly maintained country houses are a real pleasure to look upon, and it is rare that more than five miles passes in the Loire before you stumble across another one of these beautiful buildings. These arenýt just to be admired as you pass through ý many golf courses in the Loire have a chateau as a central feature, or even as the clubhouse!

The Courses

Thereýs more to golf in the Loire Valley than just the beautiful scenery as it features many of the best courses in the country. There are numerous courses in the region; perhaps the best is Les Bordes in Saint-Laurent-Nouan. Rated as the joint number one course in Europe, every single hole is a fresh challenge and a delight to play, and the outstanding clubhouse is the perfect place to relax before or after you play. Running a close second is Limere Orleans; host to several PGA Championships, the woodland course is a beautiful and satisfying place to play golf in the Loire Valley.

The Hotels

The quality of the courses in matched by the Loire Valleyýs many luxury golf hotels. Chateau des Sept Tours is the only Chateau-golf hotel in the Loire, and offers a truly unforgettable place to stay, or there is ýLa Tonnellerieý, a delightful family run hotel in a 19th century mansion. ýMercure le Sloiý is right next to a ten mile stretch of beach, and the excellent ýHotel de Franceý is right in the centre of Angers. However you want to stay during a golf break in the Loire, you are sure to find a hotel to suit your tastes.

Morgan Clarke is the Managing Director of French Golf Holidays, a company that has been providing bespoke golf holidays for over 25 years. The award-winning specialist tour operator is privately-owned and determined to ensure that both experienced golfers and novices can enjoy a superb holiday of golf in the Loire Valley.