Domaine du Val de Sorne

Val de Sorne occupies a scenic position in the Jura foothills near Lons-le-Saunier, a spa town in eastern France's Franche-Comté region. Designed by Hugues Lambert, a French architect active in the latter decades of the twentieth century, the course takes advantage of the gently rolling terrain characteristic of this transitional zone between the Bresse plain and the Jura mountains. The landscape features a mix of open farmland and wooded areas, with views toward the surrounding hills that define the region's viticultural character. The routing reflects Lambert's approach to integrating golf into the natural topography without excessive earthmoving, a practical consideration for courses developed in this period across provincial France. Players encounter moderate elevation changes and strategic use of existing tree lines and natural contours to define holes and create variety in shot-making. The course serves both local members and visitors exploring the Jura region, which is better known for its wines and thermal springs than for golf tourism. Domaine du Val de Sorne functions as a regional facility where golf is part of a broader leisure offering typical of French country clubs outside major metropolitan areas. The setting provides a quiet alternative to more heavily trafficked courses, with the surrounding Jura landscape offering a distinctive backdrop that changes character with the seasons. The course reflects the development of golf in France's smaller cities during an era of expansion beyond traditional coastal and capital-region centers.