GOLF HOLIDAYS LYON & BEAUJOLAIS
The best golf courses for Rhone-Alpes golfbreaks.

Chronologically the second course at Lyon Golf Club but golfingly and scenically the number one.  Hard to imagine a better parkland layout: dense forest, serene lakes, a peaceful setting - Les Sangliers has it all.  Hugues Lambert made the absolute most of the terrific terrain he was given to conjure a beautiful golf course that is nicely balanced and very playable from the forward Tees yet a tough test from the tips.  Good enough for the French Open in the early 2000s.  The elite Club of Lyon where golfing traditions are upheld and you will be made most welcome as a 'member for the day' in their fine Clubhouse overlooking the 18^th Green.

The original course at Lyon G.C. and a Hawtree classic.  Level terrain with a bit more width to the Fairways and a little less width to the Greens compared to Les Sangliers: a course where errant shots are often recoverable and the (rather satisfying) prospect of a scrambled par is frequently a possibility!  Great fun golf on level terrain so easily walked and will surely appeal to the aquaphobic.

Le Breuil is a strong test of anyone's golf.  Long holes that demand length and accuracy off the Tee: playing safe will leave you a lot to do to reach Greens in regulation, although thankfully the latter are fairly generously sized.  However, the abundant water hazards are fairly expansive as well - so don't be too brave with your approaches: trust your putter not your ball-scoop!

The more approachable of the two courses at Le Gouverneur, with plenty of room on most Fairways  and a lot less water in play so you can 'let rip' with the Driver without too much fear of the consequences!  The course runs out from the Chateau du Gouverneur to the hamlet of Montaplan and back: hence its moniker. A good spot to loosen-up before taking on its bigger brother.

La Bresse is a course that escapes a lot of peoples' attention due to its isolated location amongst the lakes and marshes of La Bresse.  It is worth tracking down as it is a lovely tranquil spot with a fine course that winds its way through the dense forest and its variety of hole shapes and sizes can demand every shot in the book.  Wonderful Clubhouse for post-round revitilisation.

A very pretty little course just to the North of Lyon; arboretum-like with its groves of specimen trees particularly the holes close to the old, chateauesque, Clubhouse.  A tight and intricate layout, where you will more-than-likely meet a lot of golfers during your round!  Accuracy is paramount as the holes are not long but the Greens are small and best attacked from one side or another of the Fairway.  The furthest holes from the Clubhouse  are longer and more predictable in nature, as they head off towards the forest.

Other Beaujolais and Rhône-Alpes courses to consider

Around Lyon there are two or three more courses that are worthy of note and if you like golf in the mountains, heading east towards Grenoble will bring you to some spectacular settings for golf.

Lyon - Salvagny  Architect: P. Drancourt (1988). 18 holes: 5,976m: par 72.
Just to the West of Lyon, a members Club in the undulating grounds of a manor house; good parkland golf bedevilled by water and bedizened by flora.  Close to the autoroute, so easily accessible (if a little noisy in one corner).

Golf de Beaujolais  Architect: Green Concepts (1983). 18 holes: 6,137m: par 72.
Thoroughly enjoyable course at the southern extreme of the Beaujolais vineyards.

Grenoble Charmeil  Architect: J. Pern (1980).  18 holes: 6,251m: par 73.
Surrounded by the towering Alps. A very pretty course, with golf to match the scenery.

Corrençon  Architect: H. Lambert (1985).  18 holes: 5,550m: par 71.
Mountain golf at an altitude of 1100m. Spectacular views and crisp clear air.  Basic clubhouse (in a ski-lift base-station), but very good hotel/restaurant next door.

Bresson  Architect: R. Trent Jones Jnr (1982).  18 holes: 6,345m: par 73.
Clambering up and down the alpine foothills, a golf course that was clearly the work of Mr. Trent Jones (bring a spare sand wedge!); buggy probably worth considering too.