Beste Golfplätze in der Cote d'Azur
Golf on the French Riviera: Three Exceptional Courses Near Cannes
The French Riviera is famous for many things: the Mediterranean, beautiful beaches, elegant hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, yachts and glamorous towns such as Cannes and Saint-Tropez.
But for golfers, the Côte d’Azur offers another very special attraction.
Golf courses surrounded by Mediterranean landscapes, pine forests, olive trees and the hills of Provence.
From the historic fairways of the Old Course in Mandelieu-la-Napoule to the challenging valleys of Royal Mougins and the peaceful Provençal setting of Opio Valbonne, there are some wonderful places to play golf within easy reach of Théoule-sur-Mer.
Here are three courses that are particularly worth considering during a stay on the French Riviera.
Old Golf Course
Mandelieu-la-Napoule, France +33 4 92 97 32 00
A Golf Course Steeped in Riviera History
Golf Old Course Cannes-Mandelieu is not simply one of the best-known golf courses near Cannes. It is one of the historic golf courses of the French Riviera, with a story that goes back to 1891.
The story begins with Grand Duke Michael of Russia, who had been exiled by Tsar Alexander III and found refuge on the Riviera with his wife, Countess Sophie de Torby.
During a trip to Scotland in 1891, the Grand Duke discovered golf at St Andrews and became fascinated by the sport. He subsequently set out to create a golf course on the Mediterranean — an idea that was rather extraordinary at the time.
The location chosen between the Mediterranean and the River Siagne was ideal.
The original course was a nine-hole layout known as the Grand Duc, named after its royal founder. The course later developed into the Old Course we know today, with the involvement of renowned golf architect Harry Shapland Colt.
And the history doesn't end there.
Over the years, the club attracted an impressive collection of aristocrats, royals, celebrities and golf enthusiasts. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were among those who visited the clubhouse, while personalities including Jerry Lewis and Sean Connery were associated with events at the club.
In other words, this is a golf course with quite a few stories attached to it.
Golf Among the Umbrella Pines
Today, the Old Course extends across approximately 74 hectares, beneath around 4,000 umbrella pines.
The setting is quintessentially Mediterranean.
The fairways wind through a mature pine landscape, with the scent of pine, mimosa and eucalyptus mixing with the sea air. The course is relatively flat compared with some of the hillier courses in the region, but that does not mean it is without its challenges.
And then there is the feature that makes the Old Course particularly memorable:
You cross the Siagne by ferry.
Yes, really.
During your round, you actually take a small ferry across the River Siagne between holes. It is an extraordinary little moment that you are unlikely to encounter on many golf courses anywhere in the world.
It is also the kind of thing that makes a round at the Old Course about more than simply keeping your score down.
You remember the ferry.
You remember the enormous umbrella pines.
You remember the Mediterranean air.
And, depending on how your game is going, you may remember considerably more about the ferry than your scorecard.
The Old Course Today
The main course is an 18-hole layout, while the historic Grand Duc remains as a nine-hole course.
There is also a nine-hole Pitch & Putt course, practice facilities and an academy, making the site suitable for golfers with different levels of experience.
The Old Course is located in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, making it particularly convenient for anyone staying in Théoule-sur-Mer.
For golfers who appreciate history, atmosphere and a beautiful setting as much as the technical challenge of the course, this is arguably the most distinctive choice of the three.
Royal Mougins Golf & Resort
Mougins, France +33 4 92 92 49 69
A Challenging Course in the Hills Above Cannes
If the Old Course is about history and tradition, Royal Mougins offers something rather different.
Located just a few minutes from Cannes, the Royal Mougins Golf Club sits in a beautiful natural setting among hills, olive trees and old Provençal terraces.
The course was created in 1993 and designed by renowned American golf architect Robert von Hagge.
It is an 18-hole, par-71 championship course measuring 6,004 metres, with a design that makes excellent use of the natural landscape.
And this is not a course where you can simply switch off and hope for the best.
Think About Your Club Choice
Royal Mougins is a demanding course.
The terrain is naturally undulating and the layout includes numerous bunkers, water features and changes in elevation. The course winds through a landscape of Mediterranean vegetation, with olive trees and old terraces adding a distinctly Provençal character.
Every shot requires a little thought.
A poorly chosen club or an over-ambitious line can quickly turn an attractive hole into a difficult one.
This is part of what makes Royal Mougins so satisfying for experienced golfers: the course rewards strategy as much as power.
The official course description emphasises its natural environment and championship character, while the French Golf Federation highlights the combination of rolling terrain, olive groves, old terraces, bunkers, lakes and waterfalls.
More Than a Golf Course
Royal Mougins is also a golf resort, with accommodation, a spa, restaurant and other facilities.
The setting is wonderfully peaceful, despite being so close to Cannes. Century-old olive trees and Mediterranean vegetation create a feeling of being much further away from the busy coast than you actually are.
For golfers travelling as a couple, it can be particularly appealing because a non-golfing partner can enjoy the resort environment while you spend several hours on the course.
There is also a pro shop and practice facilities, and the resort offers a polished, high-end golf experience.
One practical point worth knowing: Royal Mougins is primarily a members' club, with limited access for non-members. The club currently offers a “Member for a Day” option, subject to its conditions and availability.
So if you are planning to play here during your holiday, check availability in advance.
GOLF COURSES FRENCH RIVIERA
Golf Opio Valbonne, France · +33 4 93 12 00 08
http://www.chateau-begude.com/
Golf in a Peaceful Provençal Setting
For something a little more relaxed, head inland towards Opio and Valbonne.
Here, the Golf d’Opio Valbonne offers an 18-hole course surrounded by the landscapes of the Côte d’Azur hinterland.
The setting is completely different from the coastal courses.
Instead of the immediate presence of the Mediterranean, you are surrounded by greenery, olive trees and the gentle landscape between Grasse, Opio, Valbonne and Cannes.
At the centre of the property is the beautiful Château de la Bégude, a Provençal bastide and former 17th-century barn that has been transformed into a four-star hotel.
It is a lovely setting for a golf day.
A Golf Day with a Little Provençal Flair
The Château de la Bégude gives the whole experience a distinctly Provençal atmosphere.
After your round, you can relax by the pool, enjoy a meal or simply sit on the terrace overlooking the golf course.
The resort currently offers an 18-hole golf course, practice facilities and a restaurant with views over the course and surrounding park.
It is particularly appealing if you want to combine golf with lunch or a leisurely afternoon rather than treating the day purely as a sporting event.
And if you are travelling with someone who isn't a golfer, the setting itself makes the trip worthwhile.
Golf Between Grasse and Cannes
One of the pleasures of Opio Valbonne is its location.
You are close to the famous perfume town of Grasse, the beautiful village of Valbonne and the surrounding Provençal countryside.
So a day here could easily become a broader excursion:
Play 18 holes in the morning, have lunch at the Château, then continue to Valbonne or Grasse in the afternoon.
Or simply stay.
Sometimes a long lunch after a round of golf is the most important part of the itinerary.
Which Golf Course Should You Choose?
All three courses offer something different, which is why I would not necessarily choose one “best” course.
It depends on the sort of golfing experience you are looking for.
Choose the Old Course if you love history and atmosphere
The Old Course is the obvious choice if you want a course with genuine Riviera heritage.
It is historic, beautifully situated among mature umbrella pines and has the unforgettable crossing of the Siagne by ferry.
Best for: history, atmosphere, Mediterranean setting and a memorable Riviera experience.
Choose Royal Mougins if you want a challenging round
Royal Mougins is the choice for golfers who enjoy a strategic, technically demanding course.
The hilly terrain, bunkers, water and narrow playing areas mean you need to think about your shots.
Best for: experienced golfers, championship-style golf and a luxury resort atmosphere.
Choose Opio Valbonne for a relaxed Provençal golf day
The Golf d'Opio Valbonne combines golf with the atmosphere of a beautiful Provençal estate.
With the Château de la Bégude, restaurants, pool and surrounding countryside, it works particularly well as part of a leisurely day out.
Best for: a relaxed golf day, couples, Provençal scenery and combining golf with lunch or sightseeing.
Golf from Théoule-sur-Mer
One of the advantages of staying on the French Riviera is that you don't have to choose between a golf holiday and a Mediterranean holiday.
From Gaia's Villas in Théoule-sur-Mer, you can spend the morning on the beach, enjoy lunch overlooking the Mediterranean and still have plenty of options for golf during your stay.
The Old Course in Mandelieu is particularly convenient, while Royal Mougins and Opio Valbonne take you inland towards the hills and countryside.
And this is what makes golf on the Côte d'Azur so appealing.
You are not playing in an anonymous resort surrounded by endless development.
You are playing beneath umbrella pines, beside Mediterranean vegetation, among olive groves and Provençal hills — often with the sea never very far away.
A Golf Holiday with the French Riviera as Your Backdrop
Golf is only one part of a stay on the Côte d'Azur.
And perhaps that is the best part.
One day you can play 18 holes.
The next, you can take a boat to the Lérins Islands.
Another day might be spent exploring Cannes, wandering through the old streets of Mougins or driving along the spectacular Corniche d'Or.
And then you can return to Théoule, have an aperitif overlooking the Mediterranean and watch the sun disappear behind the Esterel.
That is the French Riviera version of a golf holiday.
A good game of golf, followed by an excellent lunch, a beautiful landscape — and the Mediterranean waiting just down the road.