Valescure at Golf & Tennis Club de Valescure

Golf & Tennis Club de Valescure sits in the hills above Saint-Raphaël on the French Riviera, where Harry Colt laid out the course in 1895, making it one of the oldest golf clubs in France. Colt, who would go on to become one of the most influential architects of the Golden Age, designed Valescure early in his career, and the course reflects the strategic principles he would refine over decades. The routing moves through Mediterranean pine forest and cork oak groves, with the red rock of the Esterel Massif visible from elevated points on the property.

The terrain provides natural movement and variety, with holes playing through corridors of maritime pines and across sloping ground that creates uneven lies and strategic angles. Colt's design emphasizes positioning and course management rather than length, with greens that reward accurate approach play and bunkers placed to penalize wayward shots. The setting captures the character of the Côte d'Azur landscape, with the vegetation and topography distinct from parkland courses elsewhere in Europe.

Valescure has hosted French national championships and remains a fixture in the region's golf culture. The club maintains both golf and tennis facilities, reflecting the sporting traditions of the Riviera during the Belle Époque era when it was established. The course continues to operate as a private members' club, serving both local golfers and visitors to the Saint-Raphaël area.