The Château de Berne, in Flayosc in the Var, is situated at the centre of a group of eighteen-hole courses: Saint-Endréol in La Motte, the two Terre Blanche courses in Tourrettes, Barbaroux in Brignoles and the Roquebrune-sur-Argens golf course. This is enough to plan a week where you never play the same course twice, whilst staying in the same place every night.
Where to play golf near Berne Castle
The Var hinterland is home to several championship courses, and this is down to its geography: hilly terrain, Mediterranean woodland, water features and vast open spaces.
The estate is situated centrally between these routes, which branch off in three directions: eastwards down towards La Motte and Roquebrune, north-eastwards up towards the Fayence region, and westwards towards Brignoles.
Saint-Endréol, an 18-hole course winding its way along the river
Situated in La Motte, between the Var hinterland and the Côte d’Azur, the Saint-Endréol Golf Club’s 18-hole course stretches across 150 hectares on either side of the Endre (the river that runs through the estate and gave it its name).
The site offers more than just the course. A driving range and lessons allow you to warm up or work on your swing before teeing off, and the panoramic restaurant overlooks the course, making it a convenient spot for lunch between rounds.
It’s also the course that’s easiest to fit into a morning: an early tee-off, an 18-hole round played in the cool of the morning, and the afternoon entirely free for the wine cellar and the spa.
Terre Blanche, two 18-hole courses in Tourrettes
In Tourrettes, in the Fayence region, Terre Blanche boasts two championship courses designed by architect Dave Thomas.
Le Château, at 6,616 metres, is the more famous of the two: Golf World Magazine UK ranked it the twelfth best course in continental Europe in 2019. It is characterised by undulating terrain and water hazards that call for strategy rather than sheer distance. Access is restricted to players with a handicap of less than 36.
Le Riou, 6,005 metres, is shorter but considered more technical, offering panoramic views of the hilltop villages of Provence.
This is the place to go if your group includes players of very different abilities: having two courses in the same location means you don’t have to choose.
Barbaroux, a course designed by Pete Dye in Brignoles
In Brignoles, to the west of the estate, the Barbaroux Golf Course features an 18-hole layout spread over 87 hectares of Mediterranean woodland. It was designed by the American architect Pete Dye, whose reputation is built on challenging and visually striking courses. A restaurant with panoramic views overlooks the course.
Roquebrune, on the Estérel side
The Roquebrune Golf Course, in Roquebrune-sur-Argens, completes the complex with an 18-hole course overlooking the Estérel Mountains, to the east of the estate and close to the coast.
Golf in the morning, wine tasting in the afternoon: a typical day
A morning’s round of golf leaves plenty of time for a second activity later in the day. Here’s how you can organise it from the estate.
Morning. Set off early: in Provence, the light and the cool of the early morning are far better than the middle of the afternoon, especially from June to September. Eighteen holes, followed by a quick lunch at the clubhouse.
Mid-afternoon. Back to the estate. The tasting cellar is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. The one-hour tour — a tour of the cellars and a tasting of three wines — starts at €20 per person and can be booked for groups of between 2 and 25 people. For groups wishing to explore further, the two-hour tour includes a visit to the vineyard and features a tasting of six wines, amongst other things wine-related experiences.
Late afternoon. The spa, or one of the estate’s three swimming pools.
Evening. Three tables on the premises : Le Jardin de Berne, a Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant, L’Olivier in Berne in the summer, and Le Bistrot All year round. The bar is open from midday until midnight.
After the course, the spa and the swimming pools
Eighteen holes amount to several hours’ walk, and you often feel the effects of the exertion the following day. The estate boasts an 800 m² spa, in partnership with Cinq Mondes and Vinésime, featuring an indoor counter-current swimming pool overlooking the vineyards and olive grove, two jacuzzis, a sauna, a hammam, a solarium and a relaxation area with a herbal tea room.
Three swimming pools complete the complex, including an outdoor pool heated all year round, which is ideal for end-of-season golf breaks. The fitness centre allows guests to keep fit between rounds, just like the rest of the sports facilities on the estate.
Why set up your base camp at the estate?
Playing several courses during a single holiday means setting off in a different direction every day. It’s therefore better to have a single base than to change hotels every other day. The Château de Berne’s central location between La Motte, Tourrettes, Brignoles and Roquebrune meets this need, and the estate offers plenty to keep the non-golfers in the group entertained whilst others are playing: a spa, swimming pools, a wine-tasting cellar, walking trails and cookery classes.
L'five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel account 34 rooms and suites. For a group travelling together, the six private villas — restored old country houses and sheepfolds, complete with a swimming pool and butler service — offer communal spaces that a mere collection of rooms simply cannot replace.
How to get there: the Les Arcs-Draguignan TGV station is 25 minutes away, with an organised transfer available from €80 for one to six passengers. Toulon Airport is one hour away, Nice Airport 1 hour 15 minutes, and Marseille Airport 1 hour 30 minutes. The estate has a helipad, a fifteen-minute flight from Saint-Tropez, and also offers a helicopter flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which golf course does the Château de Berne recommend?
The estate’s website mentions the Saint-Endréol Golf Club in La Motte, a renowned 18-hole course.
Which 18-hole courses are there in the Var?
Saint-Endréol in La Motte, Le Château and Le Riou in Terre Blanche (Tourrettes), Barbaroux in Brignoles and the Roquebrune Golf Club in Roquebrune-sur-Argens.
What is the best-known route in the region?
Le Château, at Terre Blanche, designed by Dave Thomas over 6,616 metres, was ranked the twelfth best course in continental Europe by Golf World Magazine UK in 2019.
Do you need a specific index to play?
The Château course at Terre Blanche is open to players with a handicap of less than 36. For the other courses, please check the access requirements at the time of booking.
Is it possible to combine golf and wine tourism in a single day?
Yes. The Château de Berne tasting cellar is open every day from 10.00 to 18.00, with a one-hour tour starting at €20 per person, which fits in easily after a morning of play.
Where should you stay if you’re planning to do several walks in a row?
The Château de Berne is centrally located between La Motte, Tourrettes, Brignoles and Roquebrune, with 34 rooms and suites, six private villas, a spa and three on-site restaurants.
