Cherish the Provencal countryside on the Le Chateau golf course at Terre Blanche in France
TORRETTES, France -- The view from the second tee introduces all the glory of the Le Chateau Course at Terre Blanche, a beautiful five-star resort tucked into the hills in the Provence region in the south of France.
A multi-tiered waterfall flows downhill in front of an elevated green. It's a beautiful scene that adds an air of intimidation to a long, uphill par 3. Le Chateau is a big reason why Terre Blanche was recently voted as the no. 1 golf resort in continental Europe by Golf World (a United Kingdom publication). The 7,235-yard course hosted the French Riviera Masters, a European Senior Tour event, from 2012-2015.
Golfers will enjoy its combination of scenery and strategy designed by Dave Thomas, famous for his work at The Belfry, a past Ryder Cup venue. Le Chateau has got some tricky spots, for sure, especially when water is involved. The sixth hole, a dramatic par 5, offers two different routes, finishing at a green protected by a pond. A centuries-old chateau, which is being renovated by the resort, towers above the trees.
Another pond creates a tough, dogleg par 4 at no. 10. The waterfall on the second hole follows a streambed that's sometimes dry but is still a troublesome hazard on four more holes (no. 9, no. 11, no. 14 and no. 16).
Special facilities are available before and after the round. The driving range is located at an outstanding golf academy that has been awarded European Tour Performance Institute status. Ian Woosnam, Matt Kuchar, Mike Weir and others have come to train and use its biomechanical technology. The food served at the clubhouse restaurant is consistent with a five-star resort. Saying "au revoir" after a round is never easy.
Terre Blanche resort - Le Chateau golf course - hole 2
A waterfall flows in front of the par-3 second hole on the Le Chateau golf course at Terre Blanche.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Terre Blanche resort - Le Chateau golf course - hole 4
The fourth hole of the Le Chateau golf course at Terre Blanche bends right while falling downhill.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Terre Blanche resort - Le Chateau golf course - hole 6
The par-5 sixth hole on the Le Chateau Course at Terre Blanche follows a pond.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Terre Blanche resort - Le Chateau golf course - hole 10
A bunker and trees at the dogleg make the 10th hole on the Le Chateau golf course at Terre Blanche a tricky par 4.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Terre Blanche resort - Le Chateau golf course - hole 11
A rocky pit snakes through the 11th fairway on the Le Chateau Course at Terre Blanche in the south of France.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Terre Blanche resort - Le Chateau golf course - hole 14
A precise approach over rocks and a hazard is necessary on the par-5 14th hole on the Le Chateau golf course at Terre Blanche.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Terre Blanche resort - Le Chateau golf course - hole 15
Avoiding the bunkers is the best way to par the 15th hole on the Le Chateau golf course at Terre Blanche in the south of France.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Terre Blanche resort - Le Chateau golf course - hole 16
The par-3 16th hole on the Le Chateau Course at Terre Blanche should be simple -- unless you leave it short.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Terre Blanche resort - driving range
The driving range and golf academy at Terre Blanche are among the best facilities in continental Europe.
Courtesy of Terre Blanche
Terre Blanche resort - Le Chateau golf course
An aerial view of the Le Chateau golf course at Terre Blanche shows off the water hazards near the fourth (bottom of the picture) and sixth greens.
Courtesy of Terre Blanche
