Houlgate at Golf Blue Green Houlgate

Golf Blue Green Houlgate sits in the Normandy countryside near Gonneville-sur-Mer, a few kilometers inland from the coastal resort town of Houlgate on the Côte Fleurie. Designed by Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss, the course reflects the British design sensibilities both architects brought to their continental European projects during the latter decades of the twentieth century. Thomas, known for his work at The Belfry and numerous courses across Europe, and Alliss, the longtime BBC commentator who also maintained an active design practice, created a parkland layout that takes advantage of the region's gently rolling terrain and mature tree cover.

The course plays through a landscape typical of lower Normandy, with fairways framed by mixed woodland and occasional glimpses of the surrounding agricultural patchwork. The routing incorporates natural elevation changes that add strategic interest without demanding excessive walking, and the design emphasizes accuracy and course management over pure length. Water features and bunkers positioned at key decision points require thoughtful club selection and shot placement.

Houlgate serves as a regional facility within the Blue Green network of French golf properties, offering both members and visitors access to golf in a part of Normandy better known for its beaches and historical sites than for its concentration of courses. The club provides a base for golfers exploring the Calvados coast between Deauville and Cabourg, areas that draw summer visitors to their Belle Époque architecture and seaside promenades.