Lacanau Océan, 37 miles NW of Bordeaux.

Carved magnificently into the impressive woodland, Lacanau is home to one of France's best courses. Often reminiscent of Hardelot's Les Pins course, Lacanau's tree-lined fairways are a joy to behold, and demand a high quality of ball striking.

Since opening in 1980, the course has been a firm favourite with golfing visitors to France's South West, and it provides a great test; tricky dog-legs and punishing sand traps are a feature of the layout. Lacanau may be strictly a tree-lined woodland course, but with the Atlantic shoreline just a mile across the dunes, the course's sandy turf give it a links feel to a certain degree. It may be fairly flat, but with the coastal breezes that are almost guaranteed, Lacanau is a great challenge, and is one that keeps visitors coming back year after year for a golf holiday.

Set in the heart of a striking 50-hectare estate, the Hotel Du Golf De Lacanau overlooks the famous golf course of the same name, and thanks to a recent refurbishment the hotel provides a terrific base to explore the golf course and the charming Domaine de l'Ardilouse landscape.

Amid the mature pine forests, the hotel boasts 50 guest bedrooms that have been upgraded, decorated in a tasteful modern style, and fitted with the necessary facilities to ensure total comfort. The golf course may be the highlight of your holiday in Lacanau, but the newly remodelled will play an important role in ensuring that you are well rested and ready for the challenge.