Chemin de la Tuilerie, Chambourcy,
nr St-Germain-en-Laye, Ile-de-France F-78240
Office
+33 (0)1 39 22 27 61Pro shop
+33 (0)1 39 22 27 50Fax
+33 (0)1 30 65 94 26Website
Visit websiteThe Course:
36 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb on both Marly and Retz courses.
Surroundings:
Woodland.
Designer:
Robert Trent Jones Sr designed both the Marly and Retz courses (1992) ... two of the great man's last individual designs.
Above distances are for the Marly course. Also at Joyenval is the 18-hole Retz course (par-72; 6064 m from back tees; rating 73.6).
48.893008
2.035367
27 km W of centre of Paris.
From Saint-Germain-en-Laye, head west on the N13. After less than 2 km, turn left into Chambourcy on the Rue du Chemin Neuf. In Chambourcy take the Rue de Montaigu and then Chemin de la Tuilerie, and follow signs to golf.
Golf de Joyenval: fanning out to the west of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Forêt de Marly was formerly home to royal hunting parties giving chase (la chasse) to the forest's abundant deer and wild boar. Nowadays this large woodland area also boasts some of Paris's best golf courses.
Serenely tucked into the northwest of the forest is Golf de Joyenval, a private member's facility, which plays home to the Marly and Retz courses. Both designed by the legendary course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr, the courses lay down contrasting challenges, each with a wonderful variety of holes. The generally higher-rated Marly is more open and prolifically bunkered, the Retz is more tree-lined and some would say more technically demanding.
In this large and pleasantly scenic golfing domain, and especially on the Marly course, the principal hazards are provided by Jones' impressive bunkering (144 in total, and most are big!). Occasional areas of long grassy rough and a few telling water hazards also play their part. The generally good-width rolling fairways lead you towards superb large, fast, expansive greens ... well-protected by the standout orange-sand bunkers.
The out-and-back Retz course is a classic RTJ Sr No.2 course … not a full-on rival to its more renowned sibling, but definitely no slouch either. At times impressively bunkered like the Marly, at other times less so. The greens are slightly smaller versions of those on the Marly, but maintained to the same excellent standard.
Pick of the holes: amongst a memorable collection of par-3s, the elegant 11th (Retz) bears more than a passing resemblance to the much lauded 12th at Augusta National. Also menacingly water-defended are the par-3 15th (Retz) and long par-3 17th (Marly). The latter is played to a huge double-green (shared with Marly's par-4 6th). A tree-lined "Amen Corner” on Marly departs from the generally open theme; it features two short but tight tree-lined par-4s at 10 and 12. Between them is the par-3 11th, played downhill towards a former Marie Antoinette residence, complete with ornamental pond.
Limited access: this is a private course generally playable only by members and their invited guests. Some outside visitor opportunities may be available in August.
Private club; guests may only play if hosted by a member. A limited amount of unaccompanied guest/outside visitor play may be permitted upon application, usually restricted to the month of August.
Players generally walk this course.
Excellent
The name Joyenval ("Valley of Joy") became established in the 11th century with the founding of the Abbaye de Joyenval. The abbey, which was torn down during the French Revolution (1789-99), was located in the same valley where you'll now find the two Joyenval golf courses.
Sitting alongside the 7th and 8th holes on the Retz course, but largely hidden by woodland, are the follies and gardens of the Désert de Retz. Commissioned at the end of the 18th century by Age of Enlightenment enthusiast François de Monville, this remarkable Anglo-Chinese garden was originally home to over 20 follies, many of them are still standing and open to the public. The term "desert" was used in Monville's time to denote a quiet secluded space for reflection and cultural entertainment.
Golf de Joyenval has hosted several top level competitions, including a European Seniors Tour event in 2000, and in 2010 the Vivendi Cup. This full European Tour event was played as a Pro-Am, and made use of both the Marly and Retz courses (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Joyenval).
Marly course:
France's 22nd best course (Golf World, 2025).
Continental Europe's 167th best course (Golf World, 2025).
Retz course:
France's 33rd best course.
21 rue Thiers, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye
+33 (0)1 39 10 15 15
Visit websiteOnce the residence of Louis XIV - the 'Sun King' - the Pavillon Henri IV offers an exceptional panoramic view of the Seine Valley all the way to Paris. The hotel, which opened in 1850, has the feeling of an ancient manor, with 42 rooms, a restaurant and reception rooms.
No
St Germain; Bethemont.
Golf National; La Boulie; Feucherolles; St Nom-la-Bretesche (private); Joyenval (private).
4 Blvd St Antoine, 78150 Le Chesnay
+33 (0)1 39 54 96 96
Visit websiteNovotel Château de Versailles is located just a 5 minute walk from the centre of Versailles and the world renowned Palace of Versailles. With 105 air-conditioned rooms, restaurant, bar and conference facilities, the hotel is ideal for either a business trip, family vacation, romantic visit to Versailles or exploring the excellent golf courses on the west side of Paris.
No
No
St Nom-la-Breteche; La Boulie; Golf National; St Cloud; Feucherolles; Joyenval; Bethemont; St Germain
Presidents Cup: Geoff Ogilvy’s International Team take on Brandt Snedeker’s USA Team at the revered Medinah Country Club, near Chicago. The Internationals are trying to halt a run of 11 consecutive American wins. (Sept 24-27).
French Open: Continental Europe’s oldest national championship, dating from 1906, is once again staged on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National, near Paris. Defending champion is America’s Michael Kim. (Sept 24-27).
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
