Summer Road Trip to France with DFDS - Part Two
Travel · 20 Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Deauville to Granville
Tom Simpson parkland, an authentic Harry Colt links and a fairytale wedding
DeauvilleGlamour on the coast
Les Manoirs de Tourgéville
Deauville is a grand and glamorous seaside town that, like so many British coastal towns, may be past its heyday but remains a charming and impressive destination steeped in history.
We stayed at a gorgeous hotel just outside the town - Les Manoirs de Tourgéville. Interestingly, French movie director Claude Lelouch built it in 1975 as a set for a film that never actually got made, and it was later converted into a 4-star hotel.
Le Deauville
We headed into town to eat, finding a table at Le Deauville right next to the marina. It was a lucky find as we all enjoyed the seasonal French cooking with its strong seafood lean and Norman touches, washed down by another delicious bottle of wine.
Seasonal French cooking with a strong seafood lean and Norman touches.
Saint-Arnoult → GranvilleTom Simpson’s parkland
Golf Barrière de Deauville
Well-fed and rested, we were ready the next day for a round at Golf Barrière de Deauville, set in the rolling countryside of Saint-Arnoult a few minutes inland from Deauville. We played the championship Diane Barrière course, which was laid out by Tom Simpson in 1929.
This parkland course has lots of elevation changes and sloping, well-bunkered greens and, from the sixth, amazing sea views over the Channel. The hotel above it has its own quiet grandeur, and the clubhouse makes a relaxed spot for a drink after play.
A round at Golf Barrière
After the round, we were back on the road, this time heading to the fishing town of Granville, further west along the coast. We checked into the Ibis and found an atmospheric bistro for dinner.
GranvilleA true Harry Colt links
We met up with my eldest son Henri, his wife Tash and grandson Finn in Granville, and we all made the pilgrimage to Granville Golf Club. This is a rare Harry Colt-designed, entirely authentic links course, which we were excited to play.
Golf Club de Granville
Granville Golf Club
Despite the course having been scorched by weeks of relentless sun without a break, it was clear that this is a very good golf course. The highlights were the tee shot at the 6th, overlooking the turquoise sea, and the two par 3s - the 10th and the 16th.
Both require a very precise tee shot, as the greens sit raised up like islands above the surrounding terrain. Miss the putting surface and your ball will be spurned down a steep decline, leaving a major challenge just to salvage par. The 16th at least has a mound at the back to act as a buffer, but even steeper slopes at the front and sides. Tough but fun.
L’Albatros
We then enjoyed an excellent lunch at L’Albatros, the Club’s restaurant - a proper restaurant, rather than a golf club simply doing its best with food.
It was great to have played another Harry Colt-designed course, and thoroughly worth the visit.
Along the way: the trip then continued on towards Rennes, catching a spectacular view of Mont Saint-Michel along the way.
Near RennesA round with the groom
Henri and I caught up with Jacques the groom; we played a fun round together and ate some delicious food in the clubhouse, a beautifully converted farmhouse. Golf in France has a wonderfully relaxed, recreational feel. Many clubs are council-owned rather than run by members or private owners, and that brings a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Château du ValA fairytale wedding
We attended the marriage of my son Jacques to his new wife Yolanda at the fabulous Château du Val - a truly idyllic wedding.
Interestingly, Jacques had organised a chipping competition for the day after the wedding. I initially assumed it was set up to have a laugh at his father’s expense, but it turned out that many of his friends - quite a few of them in the golf travel industry - had equally major short-game issues, so with all manner of goading and pressure applied, much hilarity ensued.
The wedding was the purpose of the trip, and it was a truly joyful experience - but the next day would be Monday morning, and we’d be back to the serious business of discovering great golf in France!