Just 30 minutes away from Cannes and the Riviera beaches, and 45 minutes from Nice airport, on 300ha at the heart of Provence, lies Terre Blanche, a fusing of beauty and luxury that must be seen to be believed.

Golf is at the heart of the Terre Blanche experience, but the quality of the surroundings extends beyond that to the Four Seasons Hotel & Spa, the architecture of which exemplifies everything that Terre Blanche stands for: service, space, tranquility and security, all with a respect for the environment it rests within.

Opened in 2004, the two championship par-72 golf courses, ranking among the most prestigious in Europe, offer golfers of all levels a significant challenge. Nature is the inspiration behind the courses, which incorporate the features of the landscape – valleys, lakes, ravines, waterfalls, forests – into their design. British architect Dave Thomas is credited with this; his signature style is expressed in the uniquely jagged-edged bunkers.

The main course

Le Château
This 6,616m course provides a magnificent challenge that will intrigue ambitious golfers. The bunkers, greens and flag positions enable players to experience the true conditions of a championship course. There are numerous spectacular water obstacles. The course is accessible to all golfers with a maximum handicap of 35. The early 19th-century château and its botanical park, overlooking the sixth green, will soon be renovated to become an exceptional place for prestigious events and exhibitions.

Le Riou
Facing the Provencal medieval villages of Callian, Tourrettes and Fayence, Le Riou course is a hilly 6,005m technical course requiring strategy and precision. This course is reserved for club members, their guests and clients of the Four Seasons Resort. It is also the venue for an Open of the Ladies European Tour Access Series.

The variety of exciting challenges and the spectacular setting produce an unforgettable golfing experience on these thrilling golf courses. Visitors may choose between four different categories of membership.

Resident membership is limited to persons owning property within the Domaine of Terre Blanche, and includes full use of the Club’s facilities. The membership is attached to the residence and is transferable. A non-resident membership is available to persons not owning a residence at Terre Blanche, and an international membership is available to persons whose primary residence is outside the borders of France. Corporate membership cards also offer special conditions to play.

The clubhouse bar and restaurant – with terraces overlooking the golf – is open every day at noon, and during the evening in spring and summer. Exclusive advantages are reserved for Club members and their guests, such as a private course, members’ lounge, private terrace, locker rooms, golf bag storage, free access to the practice range and training centre, and special rates on many services (including food and beverages, tuition, pro shop and Biomecaswing).

Visitors can book green fees at the pro shop (from €125 per person, including buggies with GPS, towel, bottle of water, club cleaning after the game). Attractive packages exist for hotel guests, from €425 for two people including one night in a 60m² suite, full American breakfast, 2 rounds of golf with buggy, as well as access to the golf performance centre with two buckets of practice balls per person.

Reservations: proshop@terreblanchegolfclub.com
Tel: +33 (0)4 94 39 36 93
Membership: dmenager@terreblanchegolfclub.com
Tel: +33 (0)4 94 39 36 32

Practice makes perfect
Now, with the opening of the Golf Performance Centre in November 2010, Terre Blanche has raised the bar to offer Europe’s most advanced golf training and was chosen as the winter training centre for the French national amateur golf team, winners of the 2010 Amateur World Championship in Buenos Aires.

Open all year, it hosts a David Leadbetter Golf Academy, providing advanced coaching for beginners as well as for tour professionals. The head teaching professional, Alain Alberti, is on-site for tuition and caters for individuals and groups alike. The highly trained professionals offer instruction in all facets of the game, supported by the latest video and computer teaching systems (TrackMan, Sam Putt Lab), and by state-of-the-art installations.

With 32 rooftop practice mats and 32 covered practice mats at ground level, two putting greens, two chipping greens, as well as bunkers, a meeting room and a fitness room, it caters for all needs. The pro shop hosts a Taylor Made showroom where clubs can be tested, rented, repaired and custom fit (using the Select Fit System).

Facilities also include the scientific expertise of Biomecaswing, managed by world-renowned osteopath Jean-Jacques Rivet. It combines a scientific knowledge of biomechanics with ultra-modern technology. By taking into account the morphology and personal ability of each golfer, this approach analyses the posture, mobility, balance and intensity of each golfer’s swing.

The Château course can be booked for events with sports and logistics management provided by the club. A superb meeting room is available for up to 25 people, fully equipped with Wi-Fi, plasma screens and conference call facilities, making it a perfect location to organize your own private golf tournament, business conference or gala dinner.

Within Terre Blanche, the five-star Four Seasons Hotel & Spa (ranked among the world’s best hotels and spas) offers 115 modern, luxurious suites, award-winning dining, a grand infinity pool, and the owner’s museum-worthy private collection of modern art.

The suites and villas are distributed over the terraced gardens with dry stone walls, terra cotta, scents of lavender and wild thyme, creating an authentic Provençal village subtly etched into the hillside. Real havens of peace and tranquillity, all suites comprise a private lounge and terrace, a separate bedroom, a spacious bathroom and a working area with high-tech connections.

The Kids’ Club is open to all children from two to 12 years old. It offers artistic and musical activities, botanical explorations, pony riding, shows and games. Members of the golf club can also leave their children at the Kids’ Club in order to make the most of their day on the golf course or in the spa.

The spa is a majestic 3200m2 villa offering a wide range of services, from simple relaxation to rare skincare treatments which include L. Raphael, Vaishaly and Samadara by Sodashi. Visitors and residents can allow themselves the luxury of relaxing in an area devoted only to their well-being. Twelve treatment rooms and two suites with a steam room, jacuzzi and private terrace enable couples, friends or families to share moments of sheer relaxation together.

In addition to the sauna, laconium and fitness room, the spa at Terre Blanche also has a 20m indoor swimming pool heated to 82°F, as well as an outdoor vitality pool heated to 100°F with bubbling geysers and invigorating jets.

Private and secure
The opportunity to build one’s own villa at Terre Blanche is a special dream. The pleasure of enjoying the calm and Provençal sunshine in total tranquillity; this is the quintessential definition of luxury and excellence. The second phase of land development is now marketed. Plots of land are available in preserved wooded areas with views over the Esterel hills and the medieval villages perched on their shoulders.

Properties and plots are still available, so becoming a property owner and/or resident at Terre Blanche – as well as being a member of this exceptional international golf resort and community – is still possible.

Les Bastides Real Estate,
Château de Terre Blanche, 83440 Tourrettes
Tel: +33 (0)4 94 39 36 32
Fax: +33 (0)4 94 39 36 98
Web: www.terre-blanche.com