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Golf lands: when greens blend into the landscape...

2nd May 2024 1471

Franche-Comté and Pays de Gex, nestling in the east of France, offer an idyllic setting for golf enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With its spectacular scenery, varied golf courses and rich cultural heritage, this region promises an unforgettable holiday.

Discovering Franche-Comté and the Pays de Gex

Franche-Comté and the Pays de Gex are destinations in their own right for golf enthusiasts looking for picturesque courses, while offering a myriad of tourist attractions and breathtaking unspoilt nature. Let's find out how these regions harmoniously combine golf, tourism and natural splendour...


Golf in the heart of nature

©Maud HUMBERT / BFC Tourisme / Belvédère des 4 lacs : magnifique point de vue sur les lacs
©Maud HUMBERT / BFC Tourisme / Belvédère des 4 lacs : magnifique point de vue sur les lacs

The golf courses in Franche-Comté and Pays de Gex are set in breathtaking natural surroundings! Imagine playing golf surrounded by the majestic Jura mountains, lush green valleys and sparkling lakes. The courses offer a unique experience where golfing blends harmoniously with the surrounding natural beauty.


Exceptional courses

In the heart of the magnificent Franche-Comté region, Golf de Besançon offers golf enthusiasts an enchanting course where greenery and tranquillity blend harmoniously. With its 18 perfectly maintained holes, this jewel offers a stimulating challenge for all levels of play. Golfers can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding hills while honing their technique. The club's relaxed and friendly atmosphere caters for experienced players and beginners alike, offering quality lessons and practice facilities. After a round, golfers can gather in the clubhouse to share stories and laughter over a drink, extending the experience beyond the green. Whether for competition or simply for pleasure, Golf de Besançon promises an unforgettable experience for all lovers of this noble sport.

The Golf du Val de Sorne, located in the Jura department, is an oasis of greenery and tranquillity that appeals to golf enthusiasts of all backgrounds. Nestling in the heart of a rolling landscape, this 18-hole course offers a stimulating challenge in a breathtaking natural setting. Carefully manicured fairways and immaculate greens ensure an unforgettable playing experience, while strategically placed water hazards and bunkers add a tactical dimension to every shot. Whether you're a seasoned player or an enthusiastic beginner, Golf du Val de Sorne offers modern facilities and courses to suit all levels, providing the perfect opportunity to perfect your technique. After a round, golfers can relax and reminisce about their best moments in the clubhouse, where the warm, friendly atmosphere invites enthusiasts to continue chatting. In short, Golf du Val de Sorne is much more than just a golf course; it's a sanctuary for those seeking the perfect combination of sport, nature and camaraderie.

In the heart of the magnificent rolling countryside of the Jura, the Golf de Mont Saint-Jean is much more than just a golf course: it's a haven of peace for golf enthusiasts. With its 18 holes perfectly integrated into an unspoilt natural environment, this course offers an unforgettable golfing experience. Every swing becomes an opportunity to reconnect with nature, as players traverse the verdant fairways, overlooked by the majestic Jura mountains. Carefully designed to offer both a technical and visual challenge, Golf de Mont Saint-Jean promises exciting rounds for golfers of all levels. Whether you're competing with friends or simply enjoying a round of golf, this enchanting setting invites you to relax and contemplate, in a peaceful, pastoral setting.

In the Pays de Gex, Jiva Hill Golf Club, nestled in the idyllic setting of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, embodies elegance and refinement in the heart of the French countryside. With its 9-hole course designed by architect Dimitri Van Hauwaert, the estate offers a unique golfing experience, combining technical skill with natural beauty. Each hole presents a different challenge, testing golfers' accuracy and strategy while rewarding them with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The clubhouse, with its contemporary architecture and top-of-the-range facilities, is the ideal place to relax after a round, whether over a delicious meal prepared by talented chefs or enjoying a drink on the terrace while admiring the sunset over the Alps. Golf du Jiva Hill offers much more than just a game of golf; it is an immersive experience in a prestigious setting where every moment is synonymous with elegance and pleasure.


After golf, don't forget to play tourist!

Besançon et la boucle du Doubs ©Coline PONNELLE / BFC Tourisme
Besançon et la boucle du Doubs ©Coline PONNELLE / BFC Tourisme
Saline royale d'Arc-et-Senans ©Catherine DEMOLY / BFC Tourisme
Saline royale d'Arc-et-Senans ©Catherine DEMOLY / BFC Tourisme
Cave du Fort Saint Antoine, Fromagerie Marcel Petite ©Alain DOIRE / BFC Tourisme
Cave du Fort Saint Antoine, Fromagerie Marcel Petite ©Alain DOIRE / BFC Tourisme

In the loops of the Doubs, in the heart of the Franche-Comté region, discover the city of Besançon. This historic city is a treasure trove of architecture, with cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses and imposing monuments that tell the story of centuries of history. One of the must-sees is Vauban's majestic Citadelle, standing proudly on its promontory and offering breathtaking panoramic views over the town and its verdant surroundings. Stroll along the lively quays of the Doubs, where cafés and restaurants invite you to relax and sample regional specialities such as the famous Comté cheese and Morteau sausages. Besançon is also a city of art and culture, home to fascinating museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie, as well as the Musée du Temps, which traces the history of time measurement through the ages. Finally, nature lovers will be delighted by the many parks and gardens dotted around the city, offering green havens in which to relax and contemplate. With its timeless charm and rich heritage, Besançon is a destination not to be missed for an unforgettable getaway in the heart of Franche-Comté.


The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an architectural and industrial marvel in the heart of the Franche-Comté region. Designed by visionary architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux in the 18th century, this utopian city is a masterpiece of engineering and symmetry, where the harmony between man and nature is evident at every corner. The saltworks buildings, with their elegant neoclassical architecture, seem to appear out of nowhere in the middle of green fields, creating an almost unreal atmosphere. Explore the vast salt production areas, discover the fascinating history of this once vital industry, and immerse yourself in the artistic and cultural world that now enlivens this exceptional site. Captivating exhibitions and cultural events regularly enliven the Royal Salt Works, offering visitors an immersive dive into the history, art and ingenuity that have shaped this unique place. A visit to the Royal Salt Works of Arc-et-Senans is much more than a simple tourist excursion; it's a journey through time and into the visionary mind of a man who was able to transform a simple production site into a work of art in its own right.


The Cave du Fort Saint Antoine, deep in the Jura mountains, is much more than just a cheese dairy; it's a sanctuary dedicated to the art of cheese maturing. Nestled in the heart of a former military fort dating back to the 19th century, this spectacular cellar offers a unique setting where thousands of wheels of Comté cheese age slowly, impregnating the air with a deliciously intense aroma. Visitors have the opportunity to discover the secrets of this artisanal maturing process, guided by passionate experts who share their ancestral know-how. The mystical atmosphere of the underground galleries, combined with the bewitching smell of maturing cheese, creates an unforgettable sensory experience. As well as tasting the famous Comté in all its splendour, visitors can also learn more about the history and traditions surrounding this gastronomic icon of the region. A visit to the Cave du Fort Saint Antoine is a captivating journey to the heart of Jura cheese culture, where every flavour tells a story and every bite transports the taste buds to a taste paradise.

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