Biarritz is a paradise for golfers with five courses in Europe’s top 100 and ten courses within an half hour drive of the resort. There is a long history of golf in Biarritz - the Biarritz Le Phare course is the second oldest on the continent, being built in 1888 by Willie Dunn and long-time host to the prestigious Biarritz Cup.
Biarritz itself came to fame in the mid-19th Century, when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) fell in love with this part of the Basque country and built a Palace on the beach at Biarritz. This building is now the glorious Hotel du Palais, a hotel that is a firm favourite amongst FGH clients for its old style elegance. Biarritz itself is among the most fashionable resorts in Europe, with excellent shopping and beaches as well as lively nightlife.
The French Golf Holidays team have played at all the Biarritz courses and vote for the following three as their favourites;
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The Moliets course is cut through a pine forest with views of the nearby ocean and is home to the French Professional Training Academy. The greens are huge but well defended by Robert Trent Jones trademark bunkers. 6406 yards, Par 72
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Seignosse was designed by Robert von Hagge and takes two or three rounds of matchplay before you can tackle it with confidence. Set out on hilly terrain, the raised tees make for wonderful views of the challenging but superb course. 6531 yards, par 72
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Chiberta was designed by Tom Simpson and we consider it to be one of the best links courses in France. The course is short, rugged and quite wide and is a good blend of links golf and beautiful parkland with some intelligent hazards.
Other nearby courses which are well worth a visit include Tom Morrison’s Hossegor and the classic Chantaco. Biarritz hosted the prestigious International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) conference in 2002 – a privilege reserved for the best golf destinations in the world.
