Golf Club d'Etretat Est. 1908

Eroded over centuries by the sea, the chalk cliffs of Etretat are famed for their stunning beauty and wave-cut arches. The golf club's strapline, "Un Golf Marin au Sommet des Falaises" (seaside golf at the top of the cliffs) hints at but barely does justice to the excellent quality of this challenging layout. And then there's the setting: as spectacular a stretch of European coastline as you'll find, with views onto the vertical, white cliffs, out to sea and down into the charming seaside village of Etretat. Sitting directly above the cliffs and separated only by a small coastal path, the two nine-hole loops contain many dramatic and immensely scenic holes. Both nines start with a par-5, the spectacular 10th played from an elevated tee to elevated green, right alongside the clifftop path; definitely one of the most nerve-jangling drives. Your exciting cliff-edge journey continues with the par-3 11th, uphill par-4 12th, formidable, long par-3 13th, and fabulous par-4 14th, where a gaping void must be crossed from the tee. On the front-nine, the cliffs' edge is briefly reached at the par-4 4th green, although either side of this hole several others are distinctly more tree and bush lined. The inward loop of holes are gloriously open and linksy in character, with thick grassy rough lying in wait beyond the good-width fairways and generous band of semi-rough. Etretat is one of the most stunningly scenic clifftop courses you are ever likely to play, and, especially with the wind blowing, this well-maintained layout provides an excellent test for every facet of your game.