Riviera Fairways: Glamour Golf in the South of France
All Square 6min read •
12 Nov
The French Riviera has long captured the world’s imagination — a region where golden light meets blue seas, where artists, celebrities, and dreamers have gathered for over a century. But beyond the beaches and film festivals lies another form of art: golf. The South of France offers a spectacular blend of coastal charm and mountain drama, where Mediterranean breezes sweep across fairways, and every round is framed by pine forests, vineyards, and views of the sea. It’s the Riviera as few experience it — a glamorous playground for golfers.
Monte-Carlo Heights and Mediterranean Grandeur
Perched high above Monaco, Monte-Carlo Golf Club is one of the Riviera’s most dramatic settings. Designed by Willie Park Jr. in 1911, the course sits nearly 900 meters above sea level, delivering awe-inspiring panoramas over the Mediterranean and the snow-tipped Alps. Each hole winds through a mountain landscape where precision outweighs power, rewarding creativity and finesse. The club’s old-world charm remains intact — from its English-style clubhouse to its elegant terraces — making it as much a social landmark as a golfing one. Playing here is to feel part of Monaco’s timeless exclusivity, with the glamour of Monte Carlo just below and the silence of the mountains above.
Cannes: Where History Meets Film-Star Flair
The Old Course Cannes-Mandelieu is the Riviera’s oldest golf course, founded in 1891 by Grand Duke Michael of Russia. Nestled between sea and pine forests, it’s one of the few courses in the world where you must take a small ferry mid-round across the La Siagne River — a charming quirk that perfectly captures its vintage character. A round here feels like stepping back in time: manicured lawns, maritime pines, and the faint echo of Cannes’ cinematic allure just minutes away.
A short drive inland lies Golf de Cannes-Mougins, established in 1923 and once the host of the European Tour’s Cannes Open. The course’s parkland design, framed by oaks and umbrella pines, has seen champions like Seve Ballesteros and Ian Woosnam walk its fairways. Its impeccable conditioning and discreet exclusivity make it a favourite among Riviera elites — a place where golfing heritage and French sophistication converge.
Modern Luxury and Strategic Drama: Royal Mougins & Barbaroux
Royal Mougins Golf Resort brings Riviera golf into the modern era. Designed by Robert von Hagge in 1993, the course embodies a polished blend of challenge and beauty — with sculpted water features, elevated tees, and greens framed by cypress and olive trees. It’s not just a course; it’s an experience. The accompanying five-star resort, spa, and gourmet dining complete the picture, creating a retreat where golf meets refined leisure.
Further inland in Provence, Golf de Barbaroux offers something completely different. Designed by Pete and P.B. Dye, it’s bold, technical, and unapologetically dramatic. Expect large undulating greens, island-style targets, and sweeping elevation changes across a rugged landscape. It’s a course that demands strategy — and rewards courage. Barbaroux may not have the coastal glitz, but it delivers adrenaline and character in abundance.
Terre Blanche: The Riviera’s Golfing Crown Jewel
In the tranquil hills of Fayence, Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort redefines the golf experience in southern France. Home to two championship courses designed by Dave Thomas — Le Château and Le Riou — the resort combines natural beauty with technical sophistication. Le Château, open to visitors, is a grand test of strategy and shot-making, while Le Riou, reserved for members and resort guests, offers a more intimate challenge.
Beyond its fairways, Terre Blanche is a haven for relaxation and performance alike. Its European Tour Performance Institute is among the finest training centers in Europe, featuring world-class technology and coaching. Add an award-winning spa, Michelin-starred dining, and five-star accommodations, and it’s no surprise Terre Blanche is considered the ultimate Riviera golf destination.
Saint-Endréol: Provençal Charm and Wellness
Nestled along the River Endre, Golf de Saint-Endréol captures the very essence of Provence. Designed by Michel Gayon in 1992, the course flows through a landscape of red rock, oak forests, and olive groves. Each hole is defined by its natural topography — elevated tees, flowing water hazards, and sweeping views of the Var countryside.
But what truly sets Saint-Endréol apart is its tranquil atmosphere. Attached to one of the region’s most respected spa resorts, it’s a sanctuary where golf, nature, and wellness intertwine. After a round, players unwind in mineral pools, enjoy massage therapy, or savour regional cuisine — an experience that’s as rejuvenating as it is memorable.
Taulane: Gary Player’s Mountain Masterpiece
High in the foothills of the Verdon mountains, Domaine de Taulane offers a refreshing twist on Riviera golf. Designed by Gary Player, the course sits at around 1,000 meters above sea level, surrounded by alpine meadows and the grandeur of Provence’s uplands. The air is crisp, the vistas vast, and the golf both technical and tranquil.
Set around an 18th-century château that now serves as a boutique hotel, Taulane’s atmosphere is serene and sophisticated. It’s a place for those who want to combine championship golf with mountain calm — a contrast to the coastal energy of Cannes or Monaco, yet equally captivating.
Art on the Fairways: Riviera Golf de Barbossi
Back near the coast, Riviera Golf de Barbossi is a course like no other. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1991, it weaves through the red rocks of the Esterel mountains and alongside vineyards, but its most distinctive feature is its open-air art gallery: 22 contemporary sculptures scattered across the fairways.
Here, every hole feels like a dialogue between nature and creativity. The design balances visual beauty with strategic nuance, making it accessible to all skill levels while remaining thought-provoking for experienced players. The accompanying Domaine de Barbossi also produces its own wines and olive oils, completing the perfect Riviera blend of golf, art, and gastronomy.
Opio-Valbonne: A Walk Through Time
Golf d’Opio-Valbonne, one of the Riviera’s most traditional clubs, embodies both French heritage and relaxed elegance. Created in the 1960s by Donald Harradine, the course unfolds through 220 hectares of wooded hills, peppered with ancient oaks and a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct.
The adjacent Château de la Bégude hotel adds historic charm with its Provençal architecture, fine dining, and sunlit terraces overlooking the greens. It’s a quintessential Riviera setting where tradition meets comfort, and where every round feels like a gentle escape into history.
Off the Course: Riviera Radiance
Golf is only part of the Riviera’s allure. After the final putt drops, the region transforms into a playground of luxury and culture. Sip rosé along the Cannes Croisette, dine at one of the Riviera’s MICHELIN-starred restaurants, or explore Nice’s evolving culinary scene, where modern chefs are reviving “Cuisine Nissarde” with Mediterranean flair.
In Monaco, you can swap your putter for a tuxedo and experience an evening at the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo, while the winding roads of Eze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence invite leisurely day trips between rounds. From vineyard visits to yacht-side dining, the Riviera offers infinite ways to extend your golfing adventure into a full sensory journey.
The Ultimate Riviera Golf Experience
To play golf in the South of France is to immerse yourself in a world where elegance meets adventure. Whether it’s the mountain serenity of Taulane, the art-infused fairways of Barbossi, or the championship prestige of Terre Blanche, every course tells a story of design, history, and natural beauty.
On the Riviera, golf isn’t just a sport — it’s a way of life. Here, the pace slows, the light softens, and every shot seems to carry a touch of cinematic magic. It’s no wonder the world’s most glamorous coastline remains one of Europe’s most unforgettable golfing destinations.
