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Climb the hills on the Le Riou golf course at Terre Blanche in the south of France

TORRETTES, France -- The Le Riou Course is the most exclusive place to play at Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort, even though it isn't necessary considered the best course at the 36-hole resort in the Provence region in the south of France.

Playing Le Riou is a private experience. It is only available to members and resort guests, unlike the highly regarded Le Chateau course that is open to the public.

Le Riou isn't as long or as difficult as Le Chateau, but it might deliver the more enjoyable round of golf. It annually hosts the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, a tournament on the Ladies European Tour Access Series.

Dave Thomas, famous for designing The Belfry in England, routed Le Riou up and down hilly terrain. The 6,567-yard course is loaded with climbing fairways and elevated greens. To score well, golfers need to take advantage of the downhill holes, like nos. 1, 7, 16 and 18.

The most memorable holes finish each nine. A stream that runs across the face of the ninth green eventually transforms into a waterfall flowing down the right side of the fairway. It's also wise to stay left of the water hazard on the 18th hole, a really cool par 5 that doglegs right off of an elevated tee.

The facilities at Terre Blanche are world class. 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 clubhouse is decorated with unique sculptures and art with a restaurant that serves five-star French cuisine.

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