Golf Holidays Loire

What to see and do Parties ■ The bars and brasseries of Nantes, Tours and Orléans ■ Wine-tasting and dinner at a private chateau Explorers ■ The countless chateaux; including Chambord, Blois, Villandry and Langeais ■ The museums and art galleries of Angers and Tours Romantics ■ A balloon ride over the vineyards ■ Dinner on the terrace at Chateau Briottierres.

Loire Not just chateaux and fine wines, the Loire is full of treasures.

The Loire Valley combines fantastic scenery with historic chateaux. Situated in the very heart of France, there’s rarely a crowd – on the roads or on the fairways!

With one every five miles, there is no better place for chateaux and the wine is world-class too. As expected, delicious food is a way of life but what’s news to most golfers is the quality of golf.

Of the courses we offer, two have hosted PGA tournaments and another is home to France’s best Amateur team. The remaining courses satisfy even the most travelled golfer. Our

green-fees are exceptional – it’s chateaux golf at B&B prices! The weather is another serious attraction as is the well-drained soil – golf is playable year round and the condition of the courses is to be envied.

Here’s an idea!

Foodies ■ Known as the “Garden of France”, the Loire not only offers superb wines but the freshest of produce with probably the largest choice of cooking styles in France.

■ Family-run chateaux offering Grandma’s recipes out of ancient kitchens to the gastronomic experiences of multi-starred Michelin restaurants... it’s all here.

■ We include a Recommended Restaurant list with your Holiday Information Pack.

Let us reserve a taxi/minibus and a professional wine-tasting followed by dinner in the vineyard’s chateau. You’ll learn how to enjoy wines (even more!) and dinner in a private chateau is a very special affair. It’s another great memory from a golf holiday in the Loire.

Get to know your wines!

Temperatures & Rainfall Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ˚C 9

8

11 17 17 24 26 25 21 17 11

9

mm 48 40 44 47 56 55 53 51 50 62 58 55

Chateau Briottieres, near Champigne - a fine addition to our French Golf Holidays programme (page 115).

Chateaux country…Stunning towns…Fine wine...The ‘garden of France’...Empty fairways...

110 Loire: The garden of France French Golf Holidays

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How to get there

What the price includes

Our prices are based on an exchange rate of €1.27/£1.

Should the exchange rate decrease or increase, we will quote your holiday at the commercial exchange rate of the day.

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s a list of the most convenient ways to get to your holiday destination.

For the explorers among you, the Loire makes for one part of a great two-centre holiday - and as it’s near the centre of France, you can mix it with almost any region. Here’s an example: ■ Two-in-a-car Eurotunnel return travel

For further information and the latest news, please call us on 01277 824100 or visit www.yourgolfholidays.com Train ■ Folkestone – Calais (car) ■ UK – Orléans/Tours (foot passenger)

All our prices are ‘’all-inclusive’’ and there are NO hidden extras. The “From” price is based on mid-week and low season, and the “To” price is based on weekend and high season. The prices include:

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Three nights’ b/b at the four-star Grand Hotel, Enghien les Bains (Around Paris)

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One round at Paris International (with buggy)

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A day’s access to the sensational spa

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A day to take the 20-minute train ride to the centre of Paris and explore the famous sights

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Four nights’ b/b at the four-star Chateau d’Artigny (Loire) with a Welcome Dinner

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Golf at Touraine and Ardree

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A day to visit the vineyards (and buy the produce at advantageous rates)

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A day to visit the chateaux and old city of Tours

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Ferry ■ Dover – Calais

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Portsmouth – Caen

Plane ■ Most UK airports to Paris CDG ■ Stansted – Tours ■ Glasgow – Beauvais ■ Many regional airports to Nantes and Angers

No currency surcharge We guarantee that the holiday price quoted to you when you pay your deposit is the holiday price you will pay.

We have taken steps to avoid any possibility of surcharging our clients for currency fluctuations and any other holiday cost.

Please contact us on 01277 824100 for the exact price for your preferred holiday dates as prices can vary week-to-week and we may have received a relevant special offer.

To Cherbourg (Portsmouth and Poole)

To Dieppe (Newhaven)

To Caen and Le Havre (Portsmouth)

N23

Laval

A81

N10

Sept Tours

Ardrée

5

8

Saumur

Langeais

4

Touraine

A10

Loi

Tours N160

La Ferté Saint-Aubin Les Aisses

Blois

Baugé Angers

N23

N138

La Flèche

6

Limere-Orleans Ardon

N157

Anjou Avrille

1

Beaugency A11

D21

Missillac

Saint-Nazaire

Orleans

Le Mans

Sable-Solesmes D178

Nantes

To Paris and Calais

N138

N137

A11

Groups - save £££s per person!

Discounts range from £50 for a group of five people for a twonight stay up to £2000 for a group of 25 people on a week’s stay! See page six of the Introduction and call us on 01277 824100 for exact prices.

£859 £979

Rennes

Nantes Vigneux

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Price

D798

D177

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Until March 31 2009 April 2009 until December 2009

N137 To Saint-Malo (Portsmouth and Weymouth)

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Return travel based on four-in-a-car travelling Eurotunnel via Folkestone/Calais The accommodation and board as detailed The selection of courses in the example itinerary Taxes and service charges A comprehensive Holiday Information Pack The knowledge and experience of our team ABTA and ATOL bonds so you know your money is safe Past Client benefits depending on your holiday spend

Montbazon

re

Cheverny Montrichard

A83 A10

Montaigu

Area enlarged

N160 7

N20

St-Jean de Monts

30 miles

La Roche-sur-Yon To Bordeaux and Biarritz

Hotel location Main town Golf Club

To the south

Atlantic Ocean

Tel: 01277 824100 French Golf holidays

Loire: The garden of France 111 French Golf Holidays

COMFORTABLE

£

Domaine des Portes de Sologne ***

PARKLAND

near Orléans 1 At a glance ■ ■

Close to Orléans Great value

A modern and bright hotel overlooking the 18th green of Limère.

The 120 bedrooms are nicely-equipped and provide a great value base for playing the courses and exploring.

Limère-Orléans

Courses within 30 minutes ■

Limère-Orléans (on site)

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Les Aisses

Suggested itinerary

Par 72. 6255 yards. Slope 131.

From

Five nights’ b/b, golf at Limère-Orléans & Les Aisses (twice each) & Golf National £515 Single room supplement per night

J

F M A M J

£29

To £669 £36

J A S O N D

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Host to French PGA Championships

Host to several French PGA Championships, Limère is a varied and pretty challenge with many super holes.

Dog-legs left and right, two-shot and threeshot Par-fives, clever water hazards and just

enough possible birdies go together to give Limère high marks in the much-respected Peugeot Golf Guide.

Meandering through woodland, it is easy walking and very enjoyable. The large greens have several pin positions and the more adventurous golfer can cut corners but will have to be laser-accurate to avoid punishment.

Functional clubhouse with good food. Eight miles north of La Ferte Saint Aubin and five miles south of Orléans.

The hotel has a pool with terrace and a good restaurant, cosy lounge and bar. And as well as the hotel, there are high-quality duplex cottages which are ideal for longer stays and to keep down the holiday cost.

Under 10 minutes drive from the attractions of Orléans, Domaine des Portes de Sologne is also convenient for night-time entertainment.

For the leisure-minded, there is a fantastic health spa and sports centre (payable) just 100 yards away.

A great way to explore the Loire and its delights.

112 Loire: The garden of France French Golf Holidays

Email: info@yourgolfholidays.com French Golf holidays

Chateau de Cheverny from the fairways.

Cheverny Par 71. 6378 yards. Slope 120.

Close to Chateau Cheverny ■ Barn clubhouse with a brasserie, traditional restaurant and outdoor pool ■ Pretty but not difficult layout ■

Very easy walking and very easy on the eye.

This is a good loosener and also ideal for some serious sightseeing after a good lunch in the clubhouse. There are several good holes and plenty of large bunkers to catch poor shots. Decent players should post a good score and less-accomplished ones will still come off the 18th with a smile.

PARKLAND

Les Aisses Par 72. 6886 yards. Slope 144.

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Empty midweek Play all three nines for one green-fee

Les Aisses is the simplest of our courses near Orléans but clients love it.

Tel: 01277 824100 French Golf holidays

Built through 250 hectares of ancient hunting grounds, this is a very flat course with quite wide fairways and lovely greens. Cunninglyplaced trees and plenty of bunkers provide the challenge, as does the gorse on one of the three loops of nine and water on another. The refurbished clubhouse is welcoming and there's a terrace and small pool for relaxing after the round. Two miles south of La Ferte Saint-Aubin.

PARKLAND

Loire: The garden of France 113 French Golf Holidays

COUNTRY ESCAPE

££

Golf-Hotel Chateau des Sept Tours **** Courcelles-de-Touraine 5 LUXURY

At a glance ■ ■

Chateau d’Artigny **** Montbazon 1

The only Chateau-Golf hotel in the Loire Valley 30 minutes from both the airport and Tours

At a glance

Chateau des Sept Tours is the epitome of chateau-golf.

Gastronomic dining and wine cellar A wide variety of room types and prices ■ A first-class Chateau-Hotel ■ ■

Built in the 15th-Century, the striking chateau offers 22 tasteful bedrooms in all sizes and shapes, two dining rooms, cosy lounges and a library. There are an additional 24 contemporary bedrooms in the Orangerie annexe.

For eats, Chef proposes an ambitious and very modern menu. Just 50 yards from the hotel door is the pretty golf course, the Chapel brasserie and pool. There are plenty of sights and restaurants within a 20-minute drive and Tours is also easy to get to.

Sept Tours is an informal golf resort where you feel at ease in a rather special setting.

£££

Just 20 minutes from both the great old city of Tours and Touraine Golf Club.

Chateau d’Artigny is a very elegant yet relaxing hotel with 72 bedrooms, a gourmet restaurant (and terrace dining in summer), incredible wine cellar and beauty and health suite.

Courses within 30 minutes ■ ■

Sept Tours (on site) Touraine

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Ardree Baugé-Pontigne

Suggested itinerary

From

To

Four nights’ b/b, golf at Sept Tours, Touraine, Ardree & Baugé-Pontigne £385

£525

Single room supplement per night

J

F M A M J

£42

£50

J A S O N D

The 72 rooms are spread over the Chateau, three lovely Pavillons and even a charming “Moulin” where friends and family can enjoy privacy with the convenience of having a firstclass hotel just half a mile down the road. Our prices are based on the mid-range rooms in the Chateau.

Suggested itinerary

From

To

Three nights’ b/b, golf at Touraine & Ardree

£379

£450

Single room supplement per night

£60

£70

J

F M A M J

J A S O N D

Home to the famous perfumer Francois Coty, Chateau d’Artigny is a beautiful way to explore the Loire and to play some pretty golf courses.

French Golf Holidays bonuses ■ ■

114 Loire: The garden of France French Golf Holidays

Three nights for the price of two from Jan - Mar Extra two free nights from Apr - Oct

Courses within 30 minutes ■

Touraine

■

Ardree

Email: info@yourgolfholidays.com French Golf holidays

PARKLAND

Touraine Par 71. 6204 yards. Slope 138.

■ ■

ART DE VIVRE

The oldest of the three courses around Tours and a great favourite.

££££

Chateau Briottieres *** Champigne 1

Although quite short by modern standards,

At a glance ■ ■

Very warm welcome Traditional clubhouse and course

several of the holes are tight and there are plenty of streams to watch out for – accuracy, not distance, is the chief ammunition here.

A design good enough to breed the best club team in France and, like the city of Paris, laid out in the form of a snail!

In an idyllic and lush setting, this is classic parkland golf. Quite easy walking. Six miles south-west of Tours and near the Chateau de Villandry - a must for all garden lovers.

Fabulous dining room Central location for several courses

In an immense English park lies this gorgeous chateau dating from the 15th-Century.

There are 17 sumptuous bedrooms – all generous in size, beautifully-appointed and complete with modern amenities. 11 are in the main chateau and six in the 19th-Century Fruitier annexe with its light and more contemporary style. Our prices are based on the second best category of bedroom.

Dinner is a beautiful affair in an intimate dining room. Reservations should be made 24 hours in advance.

PARKLAND

Ardree

Chateau Briottieres has the advantage of being central for a fine selection of courses and attractions. And for après-golf, use the free bicycles or take advantage of the on-site stables.

A very French way to enjoy the wonder of La Loire.

Courses within 30 minutes ■ ■

Anjou Sable-Solesmes

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Situated in a lovely park Central location ■ Closest course to Tours airport ■ ■

Suggested itinerary

From

To

Four nights’ b/b, golf at Anjou, Baugé-Pontigne & Sable Solesmes

£599

£660

Single room supplement per night

£26

£26

Baugé-Pontigne

J

Tel: 01277 824100 French Golf holidays

Par 70. 6270 yards. Slope 123.

F M A M J

J A S O N D

An appealing target-golf course in a park crammed with ancient oaks, cedars and flowers.

golf and is convenient for several hotels and the city of Tours. The course starts off nice and easy but gets tighter and more hazardous with sloping fairways and water as the round progresses and finishes with three super holes.

The greens are quite large but surrounded by deep, white sand bunkers. Huge clubhouse.

Slightly hilly. 19 miles north of Tours.

French Golf Holidays bonus ■

Free second round

A popular course, Ardree provides a solid day’s

Loire: The garden of France 115 French Golf Holidays

FOREST

Sept Tours Par 72. 6901 yards. Slope 128.

Fair off the forward tees, difficult off the back ■ Offers the choice of the Chapel brasserie or Chateau gastronomic restaurant ■

The first couple of holes allow you to warm up before you enter the wood for the slightly tighter holes but, generally speaking, the accent is on your approach game as the fairways are generous and the greens are very true.

FOREST

Anjou Par 72. 6884 yards. Slope 135.

Designed by Fred Hawtree Set in an ancient forest ■ Accommodation on site ■

This is an ideal holiday golf course. Flat, tranquil and very easy on the eye.

However, the course soon changes its character if you decide to play off the back with a whole new series of trees coming into play. Nicely presented, Sept Tours is an ideal base for enthusiastic golfers.

Par 72. 6501 yards. Slope 130.

A real hidden gem ■ Superb value ■ Rural setting ■

This course should be in all the best guides and played by a lot more people.

As it is, Bauge is virtually unknown but features many great and visually striking holes

116 Loire: The garden of France French Golf Holidays

A Fred Hawtree Championship course.

A friendly welcome and a convivial atmosphere in the clubhouse are assured.

Easy walking. Eight miles north of Angers.

CHAMPIONSHIP

TARGET

Baugé-Pontigne

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This layout is long and flat with many water features punishing wayward tee-shots. The course gets more technical as it progresses through the ancient oak forest and the quality of greens is first class.

framed by glorious countryside. The design makes you think hard off the tee and makes you pray before your approach shots!

You'll need to play well to post a good score, although there are enough consolation pars and even a couple of birdie opportunities. The simple clubhouse adds to the charm. Easy walking but hilly in parts. 25 miles north-east of Angers and 40 miles north-west of Tours.

European Challenge Tour tournaments and is also a favourite among good amateur players.

Sablé-Solesmes Par 72. 6273 yards. Slope 133.

Host to the European Challenge Tour ■ Superb clubhouse ■ 27 holes presented to the highest standards ■

Off the tourist track, this course is appreciated by discerning golfers.

Presented to very high standards and with a clubhouse to match, Sablé has hosted several

Set in fabulous countryside, there are 27 holes split between the Rivière with lots of water, the Forest with more parkland-like holes and the links-style Cascade nine. Sablé is certainly good enough to base your golfing holiday around. With surprisingly empty fairways, wonderful countryside and first-class service, you won't find much better. Fairly easy walking. Highly recommended. Two miles south-west of Sable-Solesmes.

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