Playing Golf in Aquitaine is no flight of fancy

Variety, so they say, is the spice of life and in Aquitaine there is truly something for everyone that will satisfy the needs of the golfer looking for something that little bit different.

Playing golf takes on a new dimension in the French region with more than 50 courses to choose from and a choice of six airports offering easy access from the UK.

Whether your preference is for the courses in the Médoc area, close to the most prestigious vineyards in the world, the south with its mild maritime climate and stunning beaches on the Atlantic coast or inland in the Dordogne, where the gastronomy is a pure delight, Aquitaine has it all.

Stéphane Thierry, in charge of golf marketing  for the Comite Regional de Tourisme Aquitaine, said: "The access to our region is under-estimated from the UK.  

"From southern England it takes just over an hour to get here and the choice of courses to play is superb. Add to that the wonderful cuisine and wines and you have a great golfing break available. Don't forget that we are the wine capital of the world!"

Aquitaine has six airports situated throughout its region: Biarritz/Bayonne on the majestic Basque Coast, Bordeaux/Mérignac, Pau/Pyrénées on the edge of the mountains and Spain, Bergerac, Agen/La Garenne for discovering the numerous charms of Lot et Garonne, and Périgueux/Bassillac for exploring the characterful Périgord.

And the choice of travel is mirrored by the variety of golf courses and packages available to satisfy the needs of the most ardent fan.

Golf du Medoc, situated just 20 minutes from Bordeaux, boasts two world-class courses including the Chateaux - venue for the 1999 French Open, regularly ranked in the top ten in France and rated in the top 100 world in 2009.

Accuracy off the tee is the key at Golf de Margaux and Pessac if you're to avoid the variety of water hazards and shoot a good round, while there are few more magnificent settings to play golf in in the country than the 27 holes at Chateau des Vigiers, located in the Purple Perigord region.

Venturing south, Seignosse, a 40-minute drive from Biarritz, is a must on any golfer's list to play and has been voted the best golf course in France by the Association of British Tour Operators to France.

Created by world-renowned architect Robert von Hagge, Seignosse is a joy to play as it winds through majestic pines and oak trees and the same features can also be seen at Moliets and Makila Golf Club Bayonne-Bassussary.

And for those golfers seeking a bit of history, the two oldest courses in mainland Europe can also be found in Aquitaine.  

Designed in 1888 by Tom and Willie Dunn, the 18-hole Biarritz Le Phare golf course is situated in the centre of Biarritz and is the second oldest course on the continent after Pau, 100 km east of Biarritz and created in 1856.  

Thierry added: "We have a marvellous standard of courses to play for the golfing addicts in the UK and we are determined to get more players out to France to enjoy what we have to offer."

For more information about Golf in Aquitaine and the variety of golf packages that are available, please go to www.golf-in-aquitaine.co.uk .