Ff you’re feeling inspired to get in on the golfing action across the Channel and hit the links for a couple of rounds, Northern France is the place to go.
The Côte d'Opale, or Opal Coast as it’s known in English, is a stunning stretch of coastline in Northern France, running from the Belgian border down to Berck. So, when you travel with us, you’ll drive straight off Le Shuttle right into the heart of this beautiful region.
This northern coastal area has long been popular with tourists, both French and English, and so has a number of charming little seaside towns and attractions to draw you in. If you’re into bird watching, drive down to the southernmost commune of Berck-sur-Mer. Berck is ideally situated for visiting the Parc du Marquenterre, a stunning ornithological nature reserve. And that’s not the only thing you’ll spot in the skies! Berck-sur-Mer is also home to an international kite festival, which takes every year in April.
Play golf until the sun goes down on the Côte d'Opale
At the other end of the Côte d'Opale, you’ll find Bray-Dunes, France’s northernmost commune, and the location of the northernmost point in the entire country. If you’re a fan of WWII history, head down to the beach at low tide and you’ll find the wreck of the Devonia, abandoned in 1940 when the British left Dunkirk.
But undoubtedly, the main attraction of the Côte d'Opale is the many beautiful golf courses it has to offer.
Golf de Wimereux
Par: 72
Length of course: 6,150m
Drive from Calais: 33.3km / 0h 28m
Built in 1901, and later rebuilt after WWI, the Wimereux golf course is one of the oldest in the area. If you’re a fan of a Scottish links course, you’ll love this location. Situated right by the sea, Golf de Wimereux was designed to complement the rugged natural beauty of the area.
This undulating course boasts wide fairways and outstanding greens, and has hence played host to some international events and is considered one of the best links courses in France. And on a clear day, from some of the holes you can even see the white cliffs of Dover in the distance.
Golf de Wimereux is one of the oldest golf courses in the area
On a good day, you just might make par, but when the wind picks up, watch out for the seventh hole. If the weather gets the better of you, we recommend heading back to the clubhouse with its warm environment and excellent food.
Golf d’Hardelot
Les Pins: Par 73, 5,929m
Les Dunes: Par 72, 5,713m
Drive from Calais: 54.9km / 0h 42m
One of the biggest attractions of Golf d’Hardelot is the fact that there is not one, but two stunning courses, each offering something very different. Les Pins is a beautiful, technical course in stunning forest surrounds, and its sister, Les Dunes, offers breath-taking sea views along the course.
Not only is Les Pins beautiful, it’s also a challenging technical course
Les Pins has hosted some major national championships, and offers an excellent standard of play. The course has undergone extensive renovations recently, which you’ll certainly benefit from. The par three holes are particularly great. You’ll also encounter some of the biggest bunkers around that can prove challenging to get out of.
Golfing enthusiast and YouTuber Mark Crossfield recently took on the course along with Coach Lockey, Rory Anderson and Dan Hendriksen.
Les Dunes is the shorter course of the two, which may come as a welcome break if you’ve been touring the area for a few days. Les Dunes isn’t the hardest course in the Côte d'Opale area, but with its undulating landscape it isn’t the easiest either. Depending on the time of year that you visit, you may find the greens a little slow, but this shouldn’t affect the overall quality of play.
Aa Golf de Saint-Omer
Le Val: Par 73, 6,218m
La Haute-Drève: Par 31, 2,038m
Drive from Calais: 42.5km / 0h 31m
The courses at Aa Saint-Omer Golf Club offer something a little different. Each overlook the beautiful Aa Valley, but with the choice of 18 holes or 9 holes, there’s a course to suit even the most time-poor travellers.
The 18-hole course hosts the second biggest national championship in France, so you’re guaranteed a good round. It’s incredibly hilly in places, so you may want to hire a buggy, and it will certainly challenge your long game. The hills offer some quirky holes, and you’ll find the density of the grass on the fairways to be superb, as well as some excellent quality greens.
For those looking to work on their short game, the 9-hole course won’t disappoint. Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced player, you’ll find some technical challenges to help you work on your game.
Another benefit of the Aa Saint-Omer Golf Club is the wonderful on-site hotel from our partners at the Najeti Group, which means you can fit even more golf into your trip! The Najeti Hôtel du Golf sits alongside the course, with stunning views over the 18th hole, and their restaurant offers a wonderful gastronomic menu after a long day of golf.
If you’re feeling inspired to take on one of the nine beautiful golf courses of the Côte d'Opale, take a look at Golf en Côte d'Opale for more details. And be sure to book your tickets with us early to take advantage of the best fares.