In my experience, it’s extremely rare for a two-night trip to feel truly relaxing. Whether it’s an early morning start back in the UK, trouble with transfers or settling in, it can feel like the minute you start to unwind it’s time to check out.
This was most certainly not the case at Terre Blanche, the five-star hotel, golf and spa resort in Tourrettes, 45 minutes west of Nice in the south of France. From the moment we drove through the impressive-looking gates, a feeling of calm descended and remained for the duration of the trip.
The 750-acre property has a stunningly tranquil setting among the hills of Provence. It opened in 2004, after German Dietmar Hopp purchased the woodland estate from Sean Connery and set about transforming it into the luxury resort we see today.
He created 115 lavish suites and villas, each with a very secluded, exclusive feel, and employed Welshman Dave Thomas to design two 18-hole golf courses, which have gone on to acquire a big reputation of their own.
Looking down on the Terre Blanche resort with its two fine golf courses
(Image credit: Terre Blanche)
My introduction to Thomas’ work would have to wait until the morning though, as my first port of call was the Michelin-starred Le Faventia, one of four restaurants on site. The tasting menu was billed as seven courses, although that number didn’t seem to do it justice.
Maybe it was down to the accompanying local wine selection, but I’m sure it must have got into double figures by the time we called it a night. Maybe not the ideal preparation for an early morning tee time but quite an experience nonetheless.
David enjoyed a Michelin-starred dining experience at Le Faventia restaurant
(Image credit: Terre Blanche)
Onto the golf then, and I began proceedings on Le Chateau, the longer and apparently more challenging of the two layouts, which ranks among the best golf courses in France. It didn’t wait long to bare its teeth, with the par-5 opener requiring a precise drive to reach the corner of the dogleg and ensure a decent start.
The three-hole stretch around the lake from the 4th was the highlight of the front nine for me, with the split-fairway, par-5 6th, overlooked by the eponymous chateau, a real standout.
The advent of the back nine coincided with the end of my…
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