Consistently ranked as the #1 links course in France, La Mer is a Harry Colt masterpiece that has hosted the French Open multiple times. It winds through formidable dunes with sweeping views of the coastline and requires a creative short game to handle the undulating greens. For the ultimate convenience, stay on-site at Le Manoir Hôtel, a charming 4-star boutique manor located directly opposite the clubhouse that offers a refined, country-house atmosphere.

Widely considered one of the most beautiful courses in France, Belle Dune is located in a protected bird sanctuary about 30 minutes south of Le Touquet. The layout transition from lush pine forests to massive, wild dunes is spectacular, culminating in a world-class back nine. A perfect nearby stay is the Village Pierre & Vacances Belle Dune, an eco-friendly resort with colored wooden houses that sit right on the edge of the course.

La Forêt offers a peaceful alternative to the windswept La Mer, winding through the heart of the 100-year-old pine forest that surrounds the town. It is a traditional parkland course that rewards accuracy over power and provides a cool, shaded environment on warm summer days. Stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Le Touquet, which is located in the forest and offers a very family-friendly environment with a large indoor pool.

Set on a plateau overlooking the Aa Valley, this championship course is famous for hosting the Hauts-de-France Golf Open on the Challenge Tour. It is an undulating, parkland-style course that requires serious stamina and accurate iron play. The only way to stay here is at the on-site Najeti Hôtel du Golf, a modern hotel with panoramic views over the 18th green and a fantastic terrace for post-round drinks.

Inspired by the architecture of Vauban, this course is unique for its geometric water hazards and defensive “fortress” style layout. It provides a technical challenge where water is in play on nearly every hole. For a sleek, modern stay nearby, the Radisson Blu Grand Hotel & Spa, Malo-les-Bains offers a high-end beachfront experience with a world-class wellness center.

Designed by Tom Simpson in 1934, Les Pins is a stunning heathland-style course carved through a dense forest of ancient pines. It is often compared to the great Surrey courses like Sunningdale due to its sandy soil and sheltered, tranquil fairways. You should stay at the Najeti Hôtel du Parc in Hardelot, which is nestled between the forest and the dunes and provides easy walking access to the course and the local village.

The younger sibling to Les Pins, Les Dunes is a more modern and dramatic layout featuring significant elevation changes and blind shots over high dunes. It offers a faster-paced, adventurous round of golf with views over the surrounding countryside. For a more luxurious and central base, the Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster in Le Touquet is an iconic 5-star choice that offers a high-end spa and Michelin-starred dining just 15 minutes from Hardelot.

This is a raw, honest clifftop links course that dates back to 1901 and offers clear views across the Channel to the White Cliffs of Dover on a fine day. The course is entirely exposed to the elements, making it a “proper” test of links golf where the wind is your main opponent. For a local experience, the Hôtel Saint-Jean in the seaside village of Wimereux offers a cozy, traditional French stay just minutes from the first tee.

Located in the valley of the Authie river, this club features two 18-hole courses: Les Cygnes and Le Belvédère. The layout is unique for its water hazards and the historic 15th-century fortified house that serves as the backdrop to several holes. To maintain the historic theme, stay at the Hôtel Château Cléry, a beautiful 18th-century chateau set in a 12-acre park just a short drive from the fairways.

While it’s a 9-hole course, Le Manoir is a high-quality layout perfect for a warm-up round or for those traveling with families. It shares the same beautiful terrain as the larger courses but in a more relaxed format. Since you’ll likely play this as a “bonus” round, the Hôtel Red Fox in the center of Le Touquet is a great value option that puts you in the middle of the town’s vibrant shopping and restaurant scene.

The combination of accessibility and authenticity sets Le Touquet apart from other European golf destinations. You can leave Kent after breakfast and be on the first tee by early afternoon, making it perfect for long weekend breaks without spending half your time travelling. The courses themselves offer genuine championship quality, La Mer regularly appears in European rankings, yet they never feel overcrowded or commercialised.

Le Forêt definitely suits mid to high handicappers better than La Mer, with more forgiving fairways and fewer forced carries over serious trouble. That said, neither course punishes average golfers unfairly if you play sensibly and pick appropriate tees. The forward tees on both layouts bring them well within range for golfers playing off 18 to 28, and the relatively flat terrain makes for comfortable walking whatever your fitness level. La Mer’s wind exposure can make scoring difficult when it’s blowing, but that’s true for scratch golfers too.

Both courses remain open throughout the year, closing only for occasional maintenance or genuinely extreme weather. The sandy soil provides excellent drainage, so even after heavy rain you’ll rarely find the fairways waterlogged. Winter golf is perfectly viable if you pack appropriately, with temperatures generally staying above freezing and the courses often emptier than you’d find Scottish links in summer. January and February can be properly cold, with occasional frost delays, but by March conditions improve noticeably.

The beach is the obvious attraction, stretching for miles in both directions and perfect for morning walks or afternoon relaxation after your round. The town centre offers surprisingly good shopping, with everything from designer boutiques to artisan food shops selling local specialities. The covered market operates Thursday and Saturday mornings and gives you a proper slice of French market culture. Several excellent restaurants serve both traditional French cuisine and fresh seafood, the Michelin-starred Le Village is worth booking if you fancy treating yourself.