Le Golf National – The Albatros

Albatros is the headline course at Le Golf National and the one many golfers travel to Paris to play.

It has hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup, the men’s and women’s golf competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and multiple editions of the Open de France, so it comes with serious championship pedigree.

This is not an easy resort round, and that is very much part of the appeal. Measuring around 6,854 yards, Albatros asks for accuracy, good club selection and a steady nerve, especially around the water hazards and quick, undulating greens.

The course has a modern stadium feel, with bold shaping, spectator banks and a finishing stretch designed for drama. The final four holes are especially memorable, with water heavily in play and the 18th providing one of the most recognisable closing holes in European golf.

Many golfers choose to pair Albatros with the neighbouring Aigle Course during the same stay. It works well as a contrast, with Albatros delivering the full tournament experience and Aigle offering a more relaxed, forgiving second round.

Its location within reach of central Paris also makes it easy to combine top-level golf with sightseeing, restaurants and evenings in the city.

Key Facts

Location: Guyancourt, near Paris, France
Established: 1990
Course: 18 Holes, Par 71
Length: Approximately 6,854 yards
Designed By: Hubert Chesneau and Robert von Hagge
Topography: Stadium-style championship layout with firm fairways, water hazards and spectator mounding
Playability: A demanding tournament course best suited to confident golfers, although forward tees make it more manageable
Practice Facilities: Extensive practice facilities shared with Le Golf National
Buggy Hire: Available

Accommodation

There are several good hotel options depending on the type of Paris golf trip you want.

Novotel Saint Quentin en Yvelines is the most convenient choice for golfers, sitting right beside Le Golf National itself. You can easily walk or take a very short transfer to both Albatros and L’Aigle, which makes it ideal for shorter golf breaks focused mainly around the golf.

For something with a little more character, Hotel Le Louis Versailles Château is around 15–20 minutes from the course and works really well for golfers wanting to combine golf with time in Versailles. The hotel is close to the Palace of Versailles and gives the trip more of a city-break feel in the evenings.

Further north, Mercure Chantilly is around 50 minutes from Le Golf National and is a popular option for golfers combining Le Golf National with the Chantilly courses during the same trip.

A lot of golfers also choose to stay in central Paris itself. Depending on traffic, the journey to Le Golf National is usually around 40 minutes, but it gives you the chance to properly enjoy the restaurants, bars and atmosphere of the city after golf.

Nearby Golf

Many golfers naturally combine Albatros with the neighbouring L’Aigle Course during the same stay. The two layouts complement each other really well, with Albatros providing the full championship test and L’Aigle offering a more forgiving and relaxed second round.

The Chantilly golf region is also within easy reach. Golf de Chantilly Le Vineuil and Golf de Chantilly Les Longères are both around 50–55 minutes away and are regularly included as part of longer Paris golf itineraries.

Nearby, Garden Golf de Chantilly gives golfers another strong option in the same area, making Chantilly a great addition for golfers wanting to experience several different courses during one stay.

Best Time to Play

The main golf season in Paris runs from spring through to autumn, with April to October generally offering the best playing conditions.

Spring and early autumn are especially popular thanks to mild temperatures and excellent course conditions both on and off the course.

Getting There

Le Golf National – Albatros Course is located around 40 minutes from central Paris and approximately 30–35 minutes from Paris Orly Airport, depending on traffic.