MOUGINS
From an altitude of 260 m, the village of Mougins over-looks Cannes and Nmandelieu. A village preserved from the onslaught on time and gratified by exceptional prestige, Mougins has a charming atmosphere of Provence and the past. A past witnessed by buildings such as the Church of Saint-Jacques le Majeur and the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Vie, with Winston Churchill's paintings. A past also reflected in the museums: Musee Municipal, Musee de l'Automobile and Musee de la Photographie. Not forgetting the tale of a brilliant artist who linked his destiny with that of Mougins: Pablo Picasso. After discovering the hilltop village in 1936 with Jean Cocteau and Man Ray, he decided to make it his home a few years later. In Mougins, he was to paint the album "Les Dames de Mougins", pursue his work and finally end his days. He penetrated the soul of the village, since a zealous guardian of his memory.
ROYAL MOUGINS GOLF CLUB
Opened in 1993, the Royal Mougins Golf Club (6,400 m par 71) is a spectacular course. Each year, it receives one of the most prestigious tournament of the European tour. The highly typical layout, signed by Bob Van Hagge, demands a wide variety of technical skills and highlights the landscape's natural beauty. Some very exciting moments in store.
Access: A8 exit Cannes, highway Grasse; exit Mougins, St-Martin Pibonson, BP gas station on the left, chemin de la Paine
Tel: 33 4 92 92 49
GRASSE COUNTRY CLUB
Inaugurated in '92, this 18-hole course (6,021 m, par 72) lies on a superb hillside estate above Grasse. Both pleasant and technical, play is never confronted by excessive difficulties. Watch out, though, for the bunkers, doglegs and water hazards, which dot the course, and also for the oak forest, which demands, straight and precise drives. The quiet and serene atmosphere, which reigns on the site, encourages relaxation and concentration. A fine day's golf under the shadow of an oak forest and the smell of Grasse'sperfumes.
BIOT GOLF COURSE
The golf of Biot (5,064 m, par 67) is one of the Riviera's oldest courses. Built in 1930, it has played host to many celebrities and enjoys long and continuing success. The fairways gently succeed each other, with calm and untroubled play to look forward to. A pleasant golfing experience for all players. Without many difficulties, you will have a course full of rustic and romantic charm. Warm welcome ensured. A good supply of fresh air.
Access: exit Antibes, Nice direction by RN7, when Marine land is reached, take Biot direction.
Tel: 33 4 93 65 08 48
GRANDE BASTIDE GOLF COURSE
Situated on the commune of Opio, this course completed in 1990 (6 105 m par 72) belongs to the Club Mediterranee. It is, however, opened to the general public and proposes a wide variety of golfing pleasures. It is the work of the giftest pupil of Robert Trent Jones, Cabell Robinson. The fairways are wide, the greens well protected, numerous bunkers follow the course, and there are several lakes. The staggering of departures will please players of all levels. Superb panoramic views of neighbouring villages.
Course Designer: Cabell Robinson
Access: A8 Cannes-Mougins, direction Valbonne-Opio, D3, chemin de Tourreviste.
Tel: 33 4 93 77 70 08
CLUB MED OPIO
No need to any further to find what you're looking for. The 9-hole compact course of 1,380 m that Cabell Robinson has designed within the village will delight all fans of golf. With its wide, shallow greens and three par 4s, it boasts no less than 37 bunkers. This Club Med course is a great learning tool. The quality of the site and the way it is maintained appeal to both beginners and experienced players. Just 1 km away, also designed by Cabell Robinson, there's the Golf de la Grande Bastide. At the Club Med, a circular, driving range, putting green, a training bunker, pitching hole, collective tuition and courses.
Course Designer: Cabell Robinson
Access: A8 Cannes-Mougins, direction Valbonne-Opio. D3 chemin de Tourreviste.
Tel: 33 4 93 09 71 00
CANNES-MANDELIEU GOLF COURSE
This 18-hole course (5,749 m, par 71) and its 9-hole course (2,118 m, par 33) are the oldest in the Alpes-Maritimes. Created in 1891, it enjoys great renown and constantly increases the number of its high-level events and competitions. Superb links set against a background of century-old parasol pines, with wide fairways, undulating greens, these two courses lack neither charm not technical difficulties. Sheer delight for all golf enthusiasts. Typically picturesque: the river crossing required to gain access to hole no 3.
Course Designer: H.S.Colt
Access: exit motorway Mandelieu, Centre Commercial direction. N98, between Cannes and La Napoule, by Mandelieu, N7 & D2098.
Tel: 33 4 92 97 32 00
CANNES-MOUGINS GOLF COURSE
Opened in 1978, the Cannes-Mougins gold course (6,263 m par 72) has a sound reputation at international level. Models of the English architecture, it is the work of the architects Allis and Thomas. The superb site winds its way between two magnificent forests and a river and several water hazards traverse the gently undulating course. Open fairways, lengthy greens - play combines technical expertise and moments of repose. A great golfing rendezvous not to be missed!
Access: exit motorway Cannes-Mougins, highway Antibes direction. D35 between Antibes & Mougins.
Course Designers: Allis and Thomas
Tel: 33 4 93 75 79 13
RIVIERA GOLF CLUB
Opened in 1991, a century after its famous neighbour, the Riviera Gold Club is the second course at Mandelieu la Napoule. Signed by the American Robert Trent Jones Senior, this very technical course isn't very wide, 5,513 m, par 71. It contains several difficulties, notably on certain approaches to the greens, which are hard to negotiate. Quiet game in the first part with the return decidedly more demanding. Watch out for: the architectural quality of the installations.
Access: motorway Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Frejus RN7 direction. Mandelieu, N7, bd de l'Esterel.
Course Designer: Robert Trent Jones Senior
Tel: 33 4 92 97 49 49
SAINT-DONAT GOLF COURSE
Just a few minutes from Grasse, the Saint-Donat golf course, opened in '93, offers all the ingredients of a highly enjoyable golfing experience. This 18-hole course (6,031 m, par 72) and its 9-hole course set in a typical natural décor combining trees, fragrance and flowerbeds. A fine American-style course, beautifully sculpted, it easily accommodates all level of play. It owns all the trumps of a big golfing centre. Very interesting course in a beautiful environment.
Course Designer: Robert Trent Jones Junior
Access: A8, exit Cannes, highway Grasse,exit Mouans-Sartoux. N85 between Cannes and Grasse.
Tel: 33 4 93 09 76 60
VICTORIA GOLF CLUB
Inaugurated in 1987, in the commune of Valbonne, this course (2,388 m, par 34) provides an excellent opportunity to perfect one's technique in extra quick time. It combines all the difficulties, doglegs, bunkers, and water hazards with each hole offering a different challenge. Its position in a very sheltered valley means that it enjoys a pleasant setting, far from the hustle and bustle of urban centers. Technical skill required in a preserved patch of nature.
Access: A8, exit Cannes, Valbonne direction, 2 km before Valbonne, Sophia-Antipolis direction, D103, route de Sophia.
Course Designer: Michel Gayon
Tel: 33 4 93 12 23 26
OPIO-VALBONNE GOLF COURSE
Dawn by Don Harradine, the master of the English architecture, the golf situated at Opio and Valbonne, opened since 1963 is a 18 hole 5,931 m par 72 course. After a big fixtures program. The quality of the course today is excellent. On the program of spills and thrills, water hazards, bunkers, and doglegs often perturb the course of the little white ball. Strategic for some. Superb domain where technical skills and precision play are essential.
Course designer: Donald Harradine
Access:- A8, exit Cannes, Valbonne and Roquefort-les-Pins direction, D4, D204. 20 min. from Nice airport, Grasse direction D2085
Tel: 33 4 93 12 00 08
MONTE-CARLO GOLF CLUB
In a sea and mountain setting thankfully spare from any construction, this 18-hole course built in 1911 (5,683 m, par 71) is one of the loveliest on the Cote d'Azur. At an altitude of 900 metres, its originality lies in its narrowness. Demanding extreme precision, each hole offers one or two technical skills. Whether it's the view of the mountains from the first 11 holes, or discovering the sea from n o 13, the spectacle of nature is here both permanent and grandiose. Finesse of play and remarkable quality.
