Neighboring the historic village of Beaugency, 15 minutes from the Château de Chambord and just a 90-minute drive from Paris, Les Bordes is spread across 1,400 acres of the magnificent Loire Valley and Sologne Forest in France. Located in the UNESCO World Heritage region renowned for historic chateaux, medieval towns, fine wines, great food and unspoiled landscapes, this destination has a rich history that is now complimented by an exciting future with a smart growth and expansion strategy.
The new owners of Les Bordes – the principals of European private equity firm RoundShield and a few outside partners – have spent two years invigorating new life into France’s famed Loire Valley region through the historic estate and globally recognized golf club. There has been a substantial investment since 2018 to create an environment that delivers fun and adventure for families at Les Bordes.
New family facilities have been delivered across the estate including a natural swimming lake with a white sand beach, enhanced equestrian facilities, boating lakes, archery, fishing, cycle and electric quad paths, and a new tennis center. Younger family members can experience a petting farm, go-kart track, pony rides and adventure playgrounds, with a kids’ club, ice-cream shop and zip lines coming this winter.
Les Bordes: The Golf Club
Les Bordes Golf Club is exclusively private and governed separately from the rest of the estate. The opening of its highly anticipated second 18-hole course will take place this summer. Named the New Course, it was created by globally acclaimed golf architect Gil Hanse, who authored world top-100 courses Castle Stuart and Ohoopee Match Club as well as the 2016 Rio Olympic Course. The New Course is Hanse’s first project in continental Europe.
Lauded for his restoration work including two of the next three US Open venues – The Country Club and The Los Angeles Country Club – Hanse has already completed work on an accompanying 10-hole short course at Les Bordes. Named The Wild Piglet, Golf.com immediately placed it in its top-25 par-3 courses in the world.
The recently developed new golf courses join the existing Old Course, to provide members with a diverse yet complementary array of playing options. Commissioned by Baron Marcel Bich in 1987, the Old Course is one of Europe’s premier golf courses. A tree-lined, par-72 course measuring more than 7,000 yards, it weaves through the Sologne Forest, intertwined with a stunning complex of lakes that offer a sublimely serene setting.
Throughout its history, the Old Course has been perennially ranked amongst the top five courses in continental Europe and has often been regarded as one of the most difficult courses in the world. Whilst the challenge of the course is still quite formidable from the back tees, recent improvements have made the course more playable and multi-dimensional.
As a result of these developments, the global allure of Les Bordes Golf Club is greater than ever. Formed in August 2019, it is accessible to members only and their guests, and includes members of Pine Valley, Merion, Riviera, Sunningdale, Royal St. George’s, LA Country Club, Friar’s Head and Royal Melbourne among the approximately 140 current members.
Additionally, leading London-based architects Michaelis Boyd have completed a full renovation of the clubhouse and 24 of the 39 member cottages, while work on a new member gym, sports bar, mini-spa and private lounge and games room, including golf simulator, is to be completed for March 2021.
Les Bordes is blessed with a beautiful site in one of the most stunning and culturally-rich areas of France, 90 minutes south of Paris. The property aims to create the pre-eminent European golf club and to build a relaxed and fun-filled community for all members of the family – golfers and non-golfers, adults and children alike.
Les Bordes: Future Plans
Near-term plans include the announced partnership with Six Senses for the transformation of the on-site 19th century ‘Chateau Bel Air’ into an 88-key luxury hotel and spa, the creation of a community village square with restaurants, shops, a farmer’s market and outdoor amphitheatre centered around the estate’s 13th century priory, and a variety of residential homes also designed by Michaelis Boyd, half of which have already been reserved by golf club members prior to a mid-year release to market.
