Grand Saint-Emilionnais Golf Club

Grand Saint-Émilionnais Golf Club is best positioned as an additional course within a Bordeaux or Dordogne golf holiday.

Located close to Saint-Émilion, in one of France’s most famous wine regions, the course sits in a natural valley framed by mature oak trees and vineyards.

Designed by Tom Doak, the course follows the existing shape of the land, with a strategic, natural feel rather than a heavily manufactured resort style.

It pairs particularly well with Château des Vigiers, giving golfers the convenience of 27 holes on site at Vigiers plus a high-quality off-site round near Saint-Émilion.

For golfers planning a French golf holiday with a strong food-and-wine element, it adds a very different style of round to the wider itinerary.

Key Facts

Location: Gardegan-et-Tourtirac, near Saint-Émilion, France
Region: Bordeaux / Saint-Émilion
Course: 18 holes
Par: 72
Architect: Tom Doak
Setting: Natural valley, mature oaks, pines, heather, gorse and vines
Distance from Saint-Émilion: Around 6 miles
Best hotel pairing: Château des Vigiers, around 45 minutes by car
Best for: Additional rounds, wine-region golf, strategic layouts and Bordeaux golf holidays

Course Layout

The 18-hole course is laid out through a peaceful natural valley close to Saint-Émilion. The routing makes use of the existing contours, with fairways shaped by mature trees, slopes and natural hazards.

It is a thoughtful course rather than a simple resort layout. Golfers need to consider angles, club choice and approach shots, but from the right tees it remains very enjoyable for holiday play.

Playing Experience

Grand Saint-Émilionnais Golf Club suits golfers who enjoy a quieter, more strategic style of course. It is not about simply standing on every tee and hitting driver; position and approach play both matter.

As an additional round from Château des Vigiers, it adds useful variety to the itinerary. Golfers can play the 27 holes on the Vigiers estate, then include Grand Saint-Émilionnais for a more architecture-led round in the Saint-Émilion wine region.

Clubhouse & Facilities

The clubhouse provides a relaxed setting before or after the round, with views across the course.

Facilities include a driving range, putting green, short-game practice area, bar, restaurant, pro shop, buggy hire, trolley hire and club hire.

Getting There

Grand Saint-Émilionnais Golf Club is located near Saint-Émilion, around 6 miles from the village and within easy reach of the wider Bordeaux wine region.

The course is approximately 50 minutes from Bordeaux Airport and less than 45 minutes from Bergerac Airport by car.

From Château des Vigiers, golfers should allow around 45 minutes by car, making it a very manageable additional round during a stay in the Dordogne.

Where to Stay

Château des Vigiers is the most natural hotel pairing for Grand Saint-Émilionnais Golf Club when it is included as an additional course.

Guests can enjoy the 27 holes on the Vigiers estate, then add Grand Saint-Émilionnais for a separate golf day close to Saint-Émilion.

The two courses work well together within the same itinerary. Vigiers offers the ease of a stay-and-play château estate, while Grand Saint-Émilionnais adds an 18-hole Tom Doak-designed course in one of France’s most famous wine regions.

Best Time to Play

Spring through autumn is the best time to play Grand Saint-Émilionnais Golf Club. Late spring and early autumn are especially appealing for comfortable golf temperatures and the wider wine-region atmosphere.

In July and August, morning tee times are a sensible choice.