Golf & Culture: Why Le Golf National & Paris Are a Perfect Match

Europe’s 2018 dominant Ryder Cup victory at Le Golf National epitomised the very spirit of the competition: togetherness and working as a collective.

The golf course played terrific for the duration of the weekend, and many questioned why France was not awarded hosting rights prior to this edition.

If you’re an avid fan of the European Tour, then you would have long recognised this course prior to the Ryder Cup.

Le Golf National had played host of the Open de France for many years and the Albatros Course has quickly become a popular tourist location for golfers to walk in the footsteps of their idols.

Another alluring feature of Le Golf National is its location, and its close proximity to central Paris. The French capital has an abundance of culture to explore, in addition to its rich history and endless activities.

There are a plethora of landmarks to visit; exquisite cuisine to taste and limitless adventures to experience.

The city of Paris provides an excellent destination for a first-class golf course that poses no difficulty to access either.

Below, we provide information on Le Golf National, a luxurious accommodation option, and why the capital of France and golf make the perfect match.

Le Golf National Courses

The Albatros

The Albatros is the result of endless work and a persistent vision that France had the capabilities of producing such a quality and desirable golf course.

It is one of the most recognisable courses throughout the entirety of Europe and it has earned copious amounts of praise from professionals and amateurs alike.

The Albatros has played host to the French Open since 1991 and the mixture of a traditional links with the modern features of target golf make it such a unique facility.

The greens are slick, the fairways are undulating, and the immeasurable bunkers are waiting to dampen any party; this is a course that requires careful selection and full utilisation of every component of the golfer’s bag. 

The true revelation of this wonderful and innovative golf course is the final four holes: surrounded by water, awaiting to gobble any balls that deviate from their intended line.

To host a Ryder Cup is special but The Albatros is more than a mere host, it is the venue that saw Europe romp home demonstrating the importance of the collective, as opposed to the individual.

The Albatros is a demanding yet rewarding golf course that should be on every golfer’s bucket list.

Aigle

The Aigle is a pristine golf course that offers quality and a valid challenge to any visitor. While it may be overshadowed by The Albatros, it contains all the features you would expect from a brilliant layout.

Similarly to its sibling, the design is reminiscent of a links and the combination of undulating fairways, superb greens and deep rough will demand not only excellent ball striking but creative thinking too.

If you have plans to play The Albatros, then The Aigle can provide the perfect setting for a practice round before you make your way to the iconic first tee.

This layout receives the same level of maintenance and attention of Le Golf National’s premium course, which results in it being a desirable track to tackle.

I’Oiselet

I’Oiselet is a 9-hole golf course that is neither very long nor wide but it does offer the opportunity to refine your short game skills in addition to improving distance control with your wedges.

Measuring at 1,995 metres for men and 1,761 metres for women, the mindset needed to attack this warm-up course is control and discipline.

If you have plans to play The Albatros or The Aigle, then this short course is an excellent option to loosen up the body before making your way towards a sterner and more unforgiving test.

Accommodation

Le Louis Versailles Chateau, Mgallery by Sofitel

If you are planning to play any of the courses at the sensational Le Golf National, then accommodation will need to be arranged alongside the tee times.

Le Louis Versailles Chateau, Mgallery by Softiel is located conveniently, only a five-minute walk from the Palace of Versailles.

The 4-star luxurious hotel encapsulates the culture of Paris, with an innovative and appealing interior on the premises while also being situated closely to landmarks.

There are 152 rooms and suites that have been fully renovated and equipped with modern and stylish facilities.

These rooms feature old-fashioned mirrors, conical lamps and a classic chandelier.

The hotel also boasts a fitness area - including a sauna and a hammam - in addition to first-class gastronomy facilities such as the Alcove, which serves traditional French cuisine. 

Considering its ideal location, in the heart of Paris, the hotel provides the perfect base for travelling to and from Le Golf National (19-minute drive) and evening entertainment.

For more information, visit Golfbreaks!

City of Paris

The capital of France is home to 2.1 million residents and it covers 105 square kilometres of French territory.

The city is diverse and classy, appealing to a wide range of people - from the wealthiest to those on a budget - Paris does not discriminate.

Whether you enjoy traversing the Eiffel Tower or exploring the dynamic fashion scene, France’s headquarters is a progressive and mesmerising city to visit.

Paris has earned the romantic image due to its importance placed on love and the incredible vistas that travellers are encouraged to experience with their other half.

The stunning architecture provides a treat for the eyes whilst the plentiful cafes encourage unwinding and watching the world go by.

We have chosen only three standout reasons why Paris supplements any golfing trip.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame de Paris translates to ‘Our Lady of Paris’ and there aren’t too many other attractive sites than this piece of ground-breaking architecture.

The construction of the iconic building took place in 1163 before being completed in 1345 - a 182-year process!

The roof of the cathedral caught fire on the evening of 15 April 2019 and it subsequently continued to burn for 15 hours.

The site has experienced relentless reconstruction work since and the completion of these works are scheduled for spring 2024.

Fear not, however, as visitors are still able to experience the beauty that is Notre Dame Cathedral.

Musée d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay is a museum in Paris that is located on the Left Bank of the Seine. The premises were once used as a railways station that has since been transitioned into a museum.

Within the building, expect to witness French art - that dates from 1848 to 1914 - including: sculptures, photography, furniture and paintings.

It houses the largest collection of artistic masterpieces that involve the work from Monet, Manet, Van Gogh and Sisley.

It is one of the most-visited museums in the world, ranking at 15, and welcomed 867,724 visitors in 2020 alone - which was down 76% from the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paris’ culture revolves around the historical time periods that the city has endured and the Musée d’Orsay encapsulates that rich history like no other.

Palais Garnier

The Palais Garnier is an opera house that has the capabilities of hosting 1,979 attendees, and it is commonly referred to as one of the best opera houses in the world.

Construction began in 1861 and finalised in 1975, where the finished product was presented to the Paris Opera.

It was used as the setting of the 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera, which highly improved its reputation worldwide.

The Palais Garnier acted as a successor to the Royale de Musique, which had suffered a fire and subsequently burned down in 1873.

The protected building is open to the public every day from 10am to 5pm and last entry is 45 minutes before closing time.

Why You Must Go

The combination of a ground-breaking golf course, luxurious hotels and exquisite culture makes Paris the ideal location for a golf trip.

Away from the splendour that is Le Golf National lies a progressive city with romance and history at its core.

The hotels reflect the life of a Parisian and the friendliness of the capital’s residents further bolsters its appeal to visitors.

Rest assured, after spending the day in the paradisiac Le Golf National, the vibrant city of Paris awaits any after hours adventures.

Those reasons listed prove that Le Golf National and Paris are a perfect match for any golfer.

If you want to experience Le Golf National, then visit Golfbreaks for more information!