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It is hard not to love a golf estate as picturesque as France’s Les Bordes — even if you’ve not swung a club in your life. Located in the Loire Valley, deep in the Sologne forest and a two-hour drive from Paris, the 560-hectare Les Bordes comprises two 18-hole courses and one 10-hole par three course. Also within the property is the heathland-style New Course designed by award-winning golf architect Gil Hanse, who was listed in Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World 2021.
Known as one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world — only members can invite a new applicant or the latter would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the membership committee — Les Bordes has upped its game with the construction of 89 single-family residences collectively known as Cour du Baron. The first phase of 21 homes is already open for sale and slated for move-in by early 2024.
An array of recreational activities
The latest multi-generational and wellness holiday trends are on point here. Cour du Baron homeowners can access the estate’s existing list of recreational options — horseback riding, fishing and swimming lakes, cycle and electric quad paths (look out for the deer!), a children’s playground, a zipline and a petting farm.
Come 2025, the new Six Senses Loire Valley and branded residences will take over the historic castle Chateau Bel Air on the same grounds. In the pipeline are new amenities such as a gym, wine bar, organic farm and farmer’s market, as well as plans to make the entire estate car-free and EV-exclusive.
“Newly built luxury homes are a rarity in France, especially in the Loire Valley, where the residential offerings are mostly historic castles and estates,” Nicola Halvorsen, Les Bordes’ Sales and Marketing Director shares. “The Cour Du Baron residences will give our members a range of houses to stay in, besides the guest cottages. This will allow families to be together, holiday for longer periods of time, and truly enjoy the magical experience offered here at Les Bordes.”
During a three-night stay, my room was one of 24 refurbished cottages with high rafters decorated in mid-century modern style. It overlooked the Old Course’s 18th hole, whose sun-dappled lake was a symphony of birdsong during the day and a golden beauty at sunset.
A gastronomical heaven
The Clubhouse in the exclusive Les Bordes Golf Club. (Photos courtesy of Les Bordes Estates)
Meals at The Clubhouse were delicious affairs, whether it was a simple pesto pasta on the sunny terrace or a fine slab of steak with roasted vegetables in the private dining room. Executive Chef Jerome Voltat was impressively adept at using sauces that did not overwhelm the natural flavours of the ingredients.
To add, there are at least 15 Michelin-starred restaurants within a 40-minute drive radius, including the two Michelin-starred Fleur de Loire restaurant by chef Christophe Hay that is set within a Relais and Chateau hotel of the same name. The degustation menu brought us on an epic four-hour discovery of the region’s best seasonal produce — from fish caught by local fishermen, to wagyu and vegetables from the restaurant’s farm and garden.
The Loire Valley’s largest castle, the Chateau de Chambord, warrants a stopover, if only to marvel at the central double helix staircase (widely believed to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci but never confirmed) and to guess the eccentric reasons why King Francois I would build a hunting lodge on marshland.
We had a relaxing cruise down the Loire River with cheese, charcuterie and wine on board a traditional boat built in the style of the ones used to transport supplies down the waterway. The weather may be temperamental in April and May, but the significantly smaller tourist numbers amp up the Loire’s romantic allure. I could certainly imagine exploring the region in between perfecting swings at Les Bordes.
Other luxury residences on golf estates
Own a slice of paradise near championship greens at these resorts around the world.
1. One Green Way Residences, Quinta do Lago, Portugal
Photo: Quinta do Lago
2. The Inn Residences at Montage Big Sky, The Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, the United States
Photo: The Spanish Peaks Mountain Club
The private 18-hole course at The Spanish Peaks Mountain Club in Montana, designed by the late American PGA champion Tom Weiskopf, is considered an excellent combination of playability and challenge, coupled with stunning mountain views at an elevation of over 2,100m. The new Inn Residences at Montage Big Sky resort, which is nestled within the club’s grounds, will have 32 three- and four-bedroom apartments. Access privileges include a members-only clubhouse, a 11,000 sq ft spa and ski-in/ski-out facilities. The homes are expected to be ready by spring 2024, with prices starting at USD1.5 million.
3. Jouri Hills Arada, Jumeirah Golf Estates, United Arab Emirates
Photo: Jumeirah Golf Estates
Jumeirah Golf Estates is a sprawling 1,119ha development with 16 residential enclaves and two golf courses, Earth and Fire, that are ranked among the top in the Middle East. The new 294-home Jouri Hills collection, slated for completion by 2025, includes three-bedroom townhouses and six-bedroom mansions. Prices start at just under AED4 million.
Read now, Unforgettable Greens: The World’s Most Luxurious Golf Courses
