Want to play golf on the French Riviera, and more specifically on the 10 most beautiful courses in the Alpes-Maritimes?
Monaco-Nice-Cannes-Mandelieu
From Monaco, Nice, and Cannes to Mandelieu, passing through the Alpine roads, a golf course awaits you for your enjoyment. Whether at altitudes of over 1,000 meters or by the sea, 9-hole or 18-hole courses, the French Riviera, and particularly the Alpes-Maritimes, welcomes you to magnificent courses with that quintessential holiday atmosphere… The Monaco-Nice-Cannes-Mandelieu axis will be the starting point for your golf course selection.
Golf Development
Golf originated in the Alpes-Maritimes region of the French Riviera, thanks to our English friends more than a century ago, but its expansion really took off in the 1990s with the emergence of new courses such as Royal Mougins, Saint Donat, Riviera Barbossi, Le Claux Amic, and La Grande Bastide.
Renowned Golf Course Architects
Renowned architects have left their mark, including Robert Trent Jones Senior, Robert Von Hagge, Peter James Gannon and Percy Boomer, Harry Colt, Cabell Robinson, Willie Park Jr., and Donald Harradine. The Alpes-Maritimes boasts 10 18-hole courses, 4 9-hole courses, and several compact courses.
To all these golfing destinations, their two greatest assets are sunshine and azure skies.
18 holes courses
The Biot Golf Course, nestled between the sea and the mountains, boasts a setting steeped in history and a remarkable natural environment. From the course, players enjoy a privileged view of the charming medieval village of Biot, renowned for its crafts and glassmaking tradition. Inaugurated in 1930 as the Golf de la Bastide du Roy, this golf course now combines heritage, nature, and the pleasure of the game, for an authentic experience in the heart of the French Riviera.
The Grande Bastide Golf Course, with its superb panoramic views of the Nice hinterland, designed by architect Cabell B. Robinson, captivates with its elegant atmosphere and preserved natural surroundings. Located in the heart of the perfume region, near Grasse, this 18-hole course welcomes both beginner golfers and experienced players seeking a challenging course and exceptional scenery.
The Monte Carlo Golf Club, perched at an altitude of 900 meters, invites you to discover a true green paradise where the brilliant blue of the sky and the Mediterranean accompanies each of your drives. Every swing is played in a pristine natural setting, nestled between majestic hills and spectacular panoramas, for an unforgettable golfing experience. A true escape in the heart of the Riviera.
The Riviera Golf de Barbossi, designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., unfolds its fairways on the heights overlooking the Bay of Cannes, offering golfers breathtaking panoramas of the Esterel Massif and the surrounding vineyards. Each round becomes a true invitation to escape, where sport and contemplation intertwine in the heart of the Riviera, for an unforgettable golfing experience.
Nestled in lush greenery on the French Riviera, the Royal Mougins Golf Resort invites you to a truly elegant and serene escape. Just minutes from Cannes, this four-star estate combines the Mediterranean lifestyle, unspoiled nature, and top-of-the-range amenities for an exceptional stay. The Royal Mougins Golf Resort embodies the refinement and gentle pace of life on the Riviera.
The Cannes-Mougins Golf Course, nestled in the heart of the Valmasque Natural Park forest, boasts an elegantly undulating course where nature and technical challenge meet. Bisected by a river and punctuated by numerous water hazards, this iconic course captivates players with its demanding layout and greens renowned for their speed and complexity. A place steeped in history, the club hosted the prestigious Cannes Open for 14 years.
The Claux Amic Golf Course, nestled in the heart of the French Riviera hinterland, just minutes from Grasse, offers a unique golfing escape between the Mediterranean Sea and wooded hills. In a pristine natural setting, this 18-hole course captivates with its peaceful atmosphere and exceptional views. The estate promises an experience that is both sporty and rejuvenating, ideal for fully enjoying the good life.
The Old Course Cannes Mandelieu, true to its century-old heritage, driven by an undiminished passion, and just minutes from the legendary La Croisette, elegantly perpetuates a tradition of excellence. Its emblem shines among the most internationally renowned courses, carried by its ambassadors, Diana Luna and Victor Dubuisson, symbols of the prestige and refinement of the venue.
The Opio Valbonne Golf Resort, nestled in a pristine natural setting, attracts European travelers seeking authenticity, a relaxed pace of life, and tranquility. Ideally located in one of France's most sought-after regions, the French Riviera, the resort provides a perfect base for exploring the treasures of the south, from picturesque villages and fragrant landscapes to breathtaking Mediterranean panoramas.
The Saint Donat Golf Course, perched in an exceptional setting, enjoys an ideal location just a few minutes' drive from the most prestigious destinations on the French Riviera. Nestled in the heart of unspoiled nature, the course blends magnolias, jasmine, and centuries-old oak trees, offering golfers a fragrant and majestic backdrop. It embodies the art of living and the prestige of the French Riviera.
9 holes courses
The Vanade Golf Club offers a unique setting, open 7 days a week throughout the year (except December 25th). Its 9-hole course, complemented by a driving range, allows for both serious and fun training in the heart of the forest, in a calm and serene environment, less than fifteen minutes from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.
Saint Donat Pitch and Putt offers a unique complex (18-hole course, pitch and putt, and practice center) on the Riviera, suitable for all skill levels. Enjoy all the advantages of a major golfing destination in a world of privilege. You'll be surrounded by magnolia and jasmine alongside centuries-old oak trees.
The Victoria Golf Club, nestled in a pleasant and varied natural setting, attracts golfers with its undulating 9-hole course, ideal for discovering all facets of the game. Between generous fairways, meticulously maintained greens, and ever-changing landscapes, each round becomes a moment of pleasure and discovery.
Valberg Golf Club, at an altitude of 1800m, appeals to golfers of all levels with its varied and distinctive layout. It can be explored on foot or by electric buggy, depending on your preference, offering an experience tailored to everyone. Enjoy a relaxing moment while admiring the exceptional mountain views.
Provençal Golf is the ideal course to showcase your full swing, with its driving range, pitch & putt and fairway, combining the pleasure of the game with skill development, whether you are a beginner or an experienced player. Slightly hilly, it offers exceptional panoramic views of the Alps and the Nice hinterland.
The Golf de la Tour d’Opio, nestled in the heart of Club Med Opio and at the foot of the hills of the Nice hinterland, is surrounded by Provençal flora and fauna, ideal for relaxation and holidays. It's the perfect place to practice your favorite sport while enjoying the many activities offered by the holiday club.
The Nice Golf Club invites you to discover golf as a true art of living. Every smile, handshake, or knowing glance between enthusiasts transforms each round into an unforgettable moment, combining the pleasure of the game and conviviality in a magnificent setting.
Academies
La Biot Golf Academy, facile d’accès depuis les principales villes des Alpes-Maritimes, offre un environnement propice à la pratique du golf tout au long de l’année, sous le climat doux et ensoleillé de la région. Le site constitue un lieu privilégié pour progresser à son rythme tout en profitant d’un cadre typiquement méditerranéen.
The Menton Golf Club is located on the heights of the city of Menton, on the hills of the pre-Alps which overlook the Mediterranean and open onto the Mercantour mountains. Less than 10 minutes from the city centre and the beaches between the Principality of Monaco and the Italian border
What to visit?
Like many French departments located on the coast, the Alpes-Maritimes is not simply a strip of shoreline but a territory that extends inland to the peaks of the Southern Alps.
Mythical places
On the coast, the famous Bay of Angels in Nice, immortalized in song by local boy Dick Rivers. Its pebble beaches and the color of the Mediterranean, with its two contrasting shades of blue, turquoise and navy.
From East to West
To the East, Menton and its famous citrus fruits: lemons, celebrated with a festival every year in February/March.
Monaco and the Rock, the Principality, with its 2 km², doesn't allow for the construction of a golf course. And, much to the disappointment of some of our readers, the Monte Carlo Golf Club is… in France!
To the West, Biot and its glassmakers, artisans, and artists at work. Further afield, Antibes and its famous Picasso Museum, and a little further on, Cannes with its May Film Festival and the Lérins Islands.
Finally, Mandelieu-La-Napoule with its famous Mimosa Festival, where the entire town is decked out in yellow.
The Hinterland
The hinterland is just as appealing, with Grasse, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Èze, Gourdon, Cabris, and the most beautiful hilltop villages, most of them built in a spiral pattern. Each village organizes its patron saint's festival during the warmer months, complete with pétanque tournaments and sometimes meals in the village square.
The Alpes-Maritimes region is a haven for fine dining, with restaurants featuring local produce and an increasing number of excellent wines, notably from Château de Bellet in the hills above Nice.
Skiing and Golf
You can play golf and ski in the same day if you wish, or even try snowgolf. To reach the snow-capped peaks, you can take either the Route Napoléon to Gréolières-les-Neiges above Grasse, or the Grenoble road into the Vésubie Valley, where you can admire the peaks of Isola 2000 and skirt the Italian border… Or you can head to Auron, the chalet resort.
For skiing and golf, head to the Valberg resort, where you reach an altitude of 1,800 meters via the Var Valley and the Gorges du Cians. There you'll find the most magical 9-hole course ever built in a natural setting, offering a 360-degree panorama of the Mercantour National Park (open from late May to late October).
The Alpes-Maritimes and its treasures
The Alpes-Maritimes and its treasures cannot be summarized in these few lines. The Alpes-Maritimes Regional Tourism Committee is at your disposal to enhance your golfing holiday.