St Emilion

"Among the Most Anticipated Designs in the world” Golf World UK

This much awaited 5 star course, designed by one of the most reputed architects in the world, Tom Doak, opened in Spring 2015 and is within a 45 minute drive of Les Galineaux.

A byword for heritage, civilisation, craft, passion, and exceptional stature, St Emilion exudes a timeless elegance. In 1999, Unesco placed the whole jurisdiction on the World Heritage List - a distinction that pays tribute to the quality of this extraordinary landscape. And now the area can also boast a first class golf course.

This exceptional course unfolds in a valley fringed by centenary oak trees, framed by vineyards and offers a new experience in France that combines the “art de vivre à la française” with the British way of playing golf.

The panoramic view over the course from the club-house is a thrill for any golfer. Following the natural lay of the land no artificial earth movement was created, holes follow one another in the most natural and free flowing way, such is Tom Doak’s talent for the routing plan.

Golf is an inbred passion for the Mourgues d'Algues family who are behind this magnificent project. Their story and commitment to building this course is inspiring.

“We looked at different projects on the continent but for our first one, we really wanted something breathtaking.”
― Tom Doak

Golf du Medoc - for the really serious golfer

Listed in the Top 100 Best Golf courses in the World, and winner of the 2014 France’s Best Golf course, the stunning courses of Golf du Medoc are only an hour from Les Galineaux. Aptly named Les Chateaux the premier course at le Medoc has hosted the French Open and was designed by Bill Coores - to date is his only work in Europe. It extends to just over 6,800 yards, which is pretty lengthy as it has only 2 par fives and to some extent follows traditional Scottish links design even to the detail of including gorse, heather and broom to catch the wayward shot. 

The Parcours des Vignes with its longs pars punctuated by finely maintained greens and the judiciously placed hazards call for intelligence and precision on the part of the player. A wide variety of game situations, the quality of the course and the magic of the environment will delight the most discerning of golfers.
 
The training centre under the careful guidance of Domininque Larretche and his team, offers the latest in modern teaching facilities including two video suites with swing analysis software and a centre for custom fitting and calibration.

Chateau des Vigiers

Less than 10 minutes along the country lanes, among the rolling vineyards, the ancient oak forests and the lakes, the Chateau des Vigiers is one of the most renowned and challenging golf courses in France. With the Chateau as its centre piece the course offers a challenging diversity with a combination of 27 wholes. Renowned for his work at St Andrews on the Jubilee and Eden courses, not to mention of course his design of the Strathtyrum, as well as Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham, and Chantilly, Donald Steel was invited to redesign the course at Chateau des Vigiers.

The 3 different configurations of 9 whole courses offer a variety of challenges and gradients for even the very best golfer. Also ensuring that players can visit seeral days in a row and have a very different game each time.

For those who are not golfing, the Chateau also offers a luxurious spa, harman, and gym as well as glorious beauty treatments as only the French can. There are also two heated outdoor pools open from May to late autumn.

Of course our local Michelin star restaurant at the Chateau, Les Fresques, is not to be missed!

Chateau des Merles

A finely manicured 9 whole 35 par course at Chateau des Merles, set among the vineyards of Bergerac, offers some of the most challenging greens in the Dordogne as well as a variety of water hazards, bunkers and narrow fairways asking for concentrated drives. A popular and much loved course.

If you want to perfect your skills during your stay at Les Galineaux you can book lessons with the pro as well as enjoy the driving range, pitch and putt and a practice bunker. 

The award winning gourmet restaurant at Chateau des Merles is not to be missed and will finish off a perfect golf day.

For those in your party who are not golfers there is again a luxury spa at the Chateau but even better is the opportunity to book a gourmet cookery course with the talented chef (and English speaker) Bas Holten.

Family golf 

St Meard de Gurcon

For less serious golfers and family games there is also a great 6 and 9 whole course nearby at Le Golf de Saint Meard de Gurçon. You can hire clubs - although we do have some at the house you are welcome to use - and you can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome.

Le Golf Naturel de Boissec

Another popular and relaxed course is on the way to Eymet at Sauvetat sur Drot. A rustic 9 hole course over 2km in the rolling hillside it is open all year round and welcomes beginners as well as more experienced players. call Tél : 05 53 83 05 31 to book or visit: http://www.golfdeboissec.fr