Golf Arcachon

Overview: Golf International d'Arcachon is at La Teste-de-Buch on the Arcachon basin, close to the Dune du Pilat on France's Atlantic coast. The eighteen holes run through maritime pines, oaks, strawberry trees and mimosa on sandy soil. The front nine is hilly and technical, threading tightly through the forest, while the flatter back nine opens up and brings water into play. It measures about 5,760 metres to a par of 72.

History: Golf around Arcachon dates to 1895, when the Exshaw family laid out nine holes on the basin, but that club closed before the Second World War. In the early 1950s a new course was planned at La Teste, the clubhouse's first stone was laid on 11 April 1955, and the eighteen holes were completed by 1960. The design is by British architect Cecil Blandford, with construction overseen by Biarritz professional Pierre Hirigoyen.

Did You Know? The neighbouring Dune du Pilat is the tallest sand dune in Europe, rising around 100 metres above the Atlantic just south of the course.