Les Bordes - Continental Europe’s Finest Private Golf Club
First-Class Property in France Unveils Gil Hanse-Designed New Course and Estate Amenities
The owners of Les Bordes had a grand vision for the Golf Club & Estate when they purchased it three years ago. With discerning taste, world-class designers, and an elegant and understated flair for the finer things in life, they have created an unparalleled place in France’s heritage-rich Loire Valley.
Embraced by nature, a sense of community and spread across 1,400 acres of mythical Sologne Forest, substantial investment since 2018 has created an enriching environment for wellness, adventure and play for families at Les Bordes. Located a 90-minute drive from Paris, the Loire Valley is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage region famous for its rolling hills, opulent chateaux, medieval towns, vineyards of fine wine, tantalising gastronomy and breath-taking landscape.
New facilities for all generations to enjoy have been delivered across the estate including a natural swimming lake with a unique white sand beach of the kind seen nowhere else in the region, enhanced equestrian facilities, a boating lake, archery, a fishing lake, woodland cycle paths and electric quad circuits, and new tennis courts that will soon become a full tennis club for training, fitness and casual play. Younger family members will never be bored with the petting farm, go-kart track, pony riding and adventure playground, with a kids’ club, ice-cream shop and zip lines coming later this year.
Les Bordes Golf Club is exclusively private and governed separately from the rest of the estate to maintain the professional standard and ensure the best play for members. The opening of its highly anticipated second 18-hole course took place this summer. Named the New Course, it was created by globally admired golf architect Gil Hanse, who authored world top-100 courses Castle Stuart and Ohoopee Match Club as well as the 2016 Rio Olympic Course. The New Course is Hanse’s first project in continental Europe, and it has been receiving widespread acclaim since it debuted.
Lauded for his restoration work including two of the next three US Open venues – The Country Club and The Los Angeles Country Club – Hanse has also completed work on an accompanying 10-hole short course at Les Bordes. Named The Wild Piglet, Golf.com immediately placed it in its top-25 par-3 courses in the world.
The recently developed New Course and Wild Piglet join the existing Old Course (Robert von Hagge’s design), to provide members with a diverse yet complementary array of playing options. Commissioned by Baron Marcel Bich in 1987, the Old Course is one of Europe’s premier golf courses. A tree-lined, par-72 course measuring more than 7,000 yards, it weaves through the Sologne Forest, intertwined with a stunning complex of lakes that offer a sublimely serene setting.
“With the two 18-hole golf courses, Wild Piglet, the amenities that are already in place and the ones that are coming, I can’t see how Les Bordes won’t be considered one of the finest golfing destinations in the world,” said Hanse, who is in high demand around the globe but only selects a few projects to work on from among the many he is offered. “You have all the cultural attractions around you, the food and the wine, the quality of the amenities . . . and then to have these two golf courses so different and varied in their challenges . . . where else in the world could you find that sort of variety?”
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Widely considered to be Von Hagge’s masterpiece, the Old Course has been consistently ranked amongst the top three courses in Europe over the past 30 years. In addition to creating the New Course and Wild Piglet, Hanse spent time revitalizing some aspects of the Old Course, reinvigorating the acclaimed layout and enhancing its high quality.
In addition to the two 18-hole courses and the par-3 course, the club offers members and their guests access to a number of other club facilities. These include modernised yet eclectic guest cottages, a driving range, short game practice area, two practice putting greens, a new putting course designed by Hanse (“The Himalayas”), a cosy clubhouse that features a members’ bar, open fireplace and sun-drenched outdoor dining terrace, finely appointed locker rooms, private lounge with indoor golf simulator, games room and library, and 24/7 restaurant. Leading London-based architects Michaelis Boyd recently completed a full renovation of the clubhouse and 24 of the 39 member cottages thus far.
As a result of these developments, the global allure of Les Bordes Golf Club is greater than ever. Formed in August 2019, it is accessible to members only and their guests, and includes members of Pine Valley, Merion, Riviera, Sunningdale, Royal St. George’s, LA Country Club, Friar’s Head and Royal Melbourne among the approximate 150 current members.
And they’re not stopping there – a host of new facilities and amenities are under development and will soon be added to the growing repertoire. These include the Village Square centered around the Estate’s 13th Century priory which will be a hub of dining, markets, retail and outdoor entertainment. Additionally, the first phase of residential homes, with a choice of delicately French, perfectly summery interior collections by world renowned design house Morpheus & Co., has inspired strong interest from existing golf members prior to the general release.
Other plans include the announced partnership with Six Senses for the transformation of the on-site 19th century ‘Château Bel Air’ into an 88-key hotel and spa with a collection of branded residences weaved into the woodland and around the waterways. The very fabric of the Six Senses brand and the upcoming hotel is heart-centered living, connection to nature, personal wellness and always the utmost respect for the place, proving that you can live an abundant lifestyle whilst caring for the environment.
Les Bordes is blessed with a beautiful site in one of the most stunning and culturally rich areas of France, 90 minutes south of Paris. It is creating the preeminent European golf club and a relaxed and fun-filled community for all members of the family – golfers and non-golfers, adults and children alike.
Ownership’s vision for the estate is to combine low-key living, connection with nature and the local environment, personal growth, health and wellness in an activity and fun-filled environment.
Instagram: @lesbordesestate
