Best golf courses in Northern France

Northern France has long been one of Europe’s most accessible and rewarding golfing regions. With the simplicity of Le Shuttle (formerly known as the Eurotunnel) allowing those travelling from the South of England to be on the first tee mere hours after leaving their homes, its convenience is truly second-to-none for an overseas weekend golf break.

With a mix of links-style layouts, pine-carved championship courses and modern parkland designs, it caters to every type of player. Below are the top courses you should consider for your next Northern France golf break.

Consistently ranked among Europe's Top 100 courses; considered one of France’s premier links-style layouts. Location: Le Touquet | Designer: Harry Colt & Charles Alison | Par: 72 | Yards: ~6,836 | Founded: 1931

Why play here?

La Mer is the flagship layout at Le Touquet, offering a true links experience shaped by towering dunes, natural bunkering and sweeping coastal views. Its rugged yet refined character reflects Colt’s architectural brilliance, with wide fairways that tighten into perfectly contoured greens.

The setting is wonderfully remote and peaceful - just the sound of the wind off the Channel and the rustle of marram grass. Despite its championship challenge, La Mer remains playable for all abilities due to thoughtful routing and generous landing areas.

You can read about our experience in Le Touquet here.

Our experts say... "This golf course is a must-play if you're visiting the stunning region of Northern France. It's fun, challenging, and great for groups." - Scott Dicks, European Travel Consultant

Highlight Hole

Hole 7 - A long par 4 threading between high dunes, demanding precision from tee to green.

Key Features

• Classic Colt links architecture
• Host of major amateur events
• Restored bunkering and greens complexes
• Coastal scenery with secluded dune corridors

Bonus Fact: La Mer was a favourite training venue for the French national team thanks to its tournament-level difficulty.

Regularly placed in France’s Top 20; restored by Pat Kyle and Frank Pont to its original Colt character. Location: Hardelot | Designer: Harry Colt | Par: 72 | Yards: ~6,565 | Founded: 1934

Why play here?

Les Pins offers a serene, pine-forest atmosphere combined with Colt’s timeless design features: strategic bunkering, subtle elevation changes and beautifully shaped green complexes. Its routing is one of Colt’s most elegant on the continent - the course flows seamlessly through forest corridors without ever feeling repetitive.

It’s challenging yet fair, rewarding clean ball-striking and creative shot-making. The tranquillity of the surroundings is a major draw, with many golfers citing Golf d'Hardelot as one of France’s Top 10 golf courses!

Our experts say... "One of the best courses in Northern France. Has held a European tour event and with the changes that has been made it's definitely in the top 20 french courses. Deep bunkers and fast sloping greens makes this course difficult to score well on." - Dominic Spencer, Senior Groups European Travel Consultant

Highlight Hole

Hole 10 – A picture-perfect par 3 framed by tall pines and bunkers that protect every angle.

Key Features

• Full restoration of Colt design ethos
• Tree-lined fairways offering a secluded environment
• Large, beautifully contoured greens
• Host of historical French Opens

Bonus Fact: The course has attracted top architects who frequently cite it as one of Europe’s best preserved Colt designs.

Regularly ranked among France’s Top 10 courses; widely regarded as one of the country’s best modern links-inspired designs. Location: Fort-Mahon-Plage | Designer: Jean Manuel Rossi | Par: 72 | Yards: ~6,500 | Founded: 1992

Why play here?

Belle Dune is spectacular, set within a vast natural dune reserve. While not a pure links, it blends sandy terrain, wild vegetation and exposed holes with sheltered forest stretches. The visuals are dramatic: spiky pines, rolling dunes, and wide sandy waste areas.

Players love the variety - no two holes feel alike, and the wind plays a major role in scoring. It’s picturesque, challenging and hugely memorable.

"A fabulous course in great condition with great variation. Very well maintained and a good challenge" - A Trusted Golfbreaks Customer

Highlight Hole

Hole 12 – A thrilling par 4 plunging between high dunes with a green tucked into a natural amphitheatre.

Key Features

• Dramatic dune landscapes
• Strong mix of open and wooded holes
• Challenging in windy conditions
• Stunning coastal surroundings

Bonus Fact: The course sits within a protected nature reserve, offering glimpses of rare wildlife.

One of France’s oldest seaside courses; restored to a traditional links style. Location: Wimereux | Designer: Seymour Dunn (originally) | Par: 72 | Yards: ~6,700 | Founded: 1901

Why play here?

Perched along the Opal Coast, Wimereux is a windy, old-fashioned links with gorgeous views toward England on clear days. Fairways are wide but exposed, and the natural humps and hollows create unpredictable bounces - classic links golf at its best.

It’s historic, charming and unpretentious, making it a favourite among golfers seeking authenticity rather than resort polish.

"Beautiful cliff top lynx course. We absolutely loved it. Very open but still a real challenge with tough greens. Incredible views" - A Trusted Golfbreaks Customer

Highlight Hole

Hole 15 – A long par 4 hugging the cliff edge, often played straight into the prevailing wind.

Key Features

• Genuine seaside links characteristics
• Stunning Channel views
• Fast-running fairways
• Welcoming, traditional clubhouse

Travel Tip

When on your France golf break, play Wimereux on the day of arrival or departure, as it is on the way to/from Calais to Le Touquet.

Bonus Fact: During WWI, the course area housed British military encampments - adding to its historic charm.

Long-time host of the European Challenge Tour’s Hauts de France – Pas de Calais Open. Location: Lumbres | Designer: Joan Freixa | Par: 73 | Yards: ~6,900 | Founded: 1990

Why play here?

Aa Saint-Omer is a championship course in every sense - dramatic slopes, tightly shaped fairways and complex green sites create a significant challenge. The course winds through forest and hillside, offering exceptional variety and constant elevation changes.

Its tournament pedigree is clear from the first tee, demanding accuracy and course management.

"Very well kept and great to play" - A Trusted Golfbreaks Customer

Highlight Hole

Hole 3 – A downhill par 5 framed by forest with a risk-reward approach over water.

Key Features

• European Challenge Tour host venue
• Heavily undulating terrain
• Championship-style setup
• Strong closing stretch

Bonus Fact: Many future European Tour stars have competed here early in their careers.

Popular among visitors for its fun, modern layout featuring significant elevation changes. Location: Hardelot | Designer: Jean-Claude Cornillot | Par: 70 | Yards: ~6,200 | Founded: 1990

Why play here?

Les Dunes contrasts beautifully with its sister course. It’s more contemporary in style, with rolling terrain, wider fairways, and strong visual appeal. Each hole offers something different: doglegs, elevated tees, and sweeping undulations that create engaging shot choices.

It’s extremely playable for all abilities and beloved by societies and groups for its blend of challenge and enjoyment.

"A big renovation in 2010 has turned this course into a true rival of it's sister course - Les Pins. Tricky in places due to it's tree-lined nature and one of the best finishing holes in Pas de Calais." - Matt Beahan, Senior European Travel Consultant

Highlight Hole

Hole 14 – A gorgeous downhill par 3 playing over a valley to a well-bunkered green.

Key Features

• Elevation changes and dramatic visuals
• More forgiving layout than Les Pins
• Excellent practice facilities
• Perfect for groups and mixed-ability golfers

Bonus Fact: Its creative routing makes it one of the fastest, most enjoyable rounds in the region.

Known for its imaginative, fortress-inspired design. Location: Dunkirk | Designer: Jean-Manuel Rossi | Par: 72 | Yards: ~6,750 | Founded: 1988

Why play here?

Golf de Dunkerque is one of the most unique courses in northern France, with bold mounding, water hazards and geometric shaping inspired by the region’s military history. It’s visually striking and full of personality, offering a very different experience compared with the classic courses nearby.

Players enjoy the creativity of its layout - expect fun, challenge and plenty of memorable shots.

"A very nice course, well maintained. Greens were great and everyone enjoyed it!" - A Trusted Golfbreaks Customer

Highlight Hole

Hole 13 – A fortress-style par 3 with water surrounding the green, demanding pinpoint precision.

Key Features

• Architectural design inspired by historic fortifications
• Water in play on several holes
• Thought-provoking layout
• Distinctive visual identity

Travel Tip

This course is great to play en route to Belgium if travelling via Le Shuttle.

Bonus Fact: The course’s design mimics Vauban-era fort shapes, making it one of the most thematically creative layouts in Europe.

Best times to visit: France enjoys a long golfing season, with April to October offering ideal conditions across most regions. Northern France is at its best in late spring and early autumn.

Entry requirements & EES: UK travellers can visit France easily with a valid passport. When the new Entry/Exit System (EES) goes live, the simple biometric check will take place at the border, not before travel. Nothing needs to be completed in advance, and once registered, future trips will be even smoother.

Travel convenience: Reaching France is quick and flexible. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle offers the fastest route into Calais, perfect for golfers travelling with clubs. Ferries provide relaxed crossings from multiple UK ports, while TGV high-speed trains and regional airports in Lille, Paris, Nice and Biarritz make travelling further afield effortless.

Itinerary tips: France is ideal for multi-round trips. Pair Le Touquet with Hardelot for an easy Northern France break, or combine Cannes with Terre Blanche for a luxurious Riviera escape. The Atlantic Coast works beautifully too, with Biarritz, Seignosse and Hossegor all within close reach.

What are the best golf courses in Northern France? Top picks include Le Touquet – La Mer, Hardelot – Les Pins, Belle Dune and Wimereux, all offering a mix of classic links and high-quality parkland golf within easy reach of the Channel.

When is the best time to play? The main season runs from April to October, with summer (June–September) especially popular thanks to long daylight hours, coastal breezes and excellent course conditions.

Can I stay at one resort and play multiple courses? Yes. Le Touquet and Hardelot are ideal bases, with several top-tier courses located within a short drive, making them perfect for multi-round weekend breaks.

Is travelling by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle easy? Very. The 35-minute crossing and drive-off convenience make it one of the simplest ways to reach Northern France.

Are buggies and equipment available? Most courses offer buggies, trolleys and rental clubs - pre-booking is recommended.

Do I need to complete EES steps before travelling? No. The EES check will be carried out on arrival, with no pre-travel registration required.

You can read our France golf holiday FAQs article here.

Northern France is one of Europe’s most popular golf regions, offering a superb mix of classic links, scenic coastal layouts and elegant parkland courses, all within easy reach of the UK.

From the Harry Colt–designed La Mer at Le Touquet to the restored Les Pins at Hardelot and the dramatic seaside holes at Wimereux, the region delivers outstanding quality, variety and value for golfers of all levels.