Golf de Pau-Artiguelouve

Founded in 1856, Golf de Pau is among the oldest golf clubs on the European continent — a direct legacy of the British community that wintered in Pau during the 19th century, drawn by the mild Pyrenean foothills climate and the fashionable spa culture of the era. The English brought their game with them, and what began as a simple layout on the plateau above the Gave de Pau has evolved over generations into a course with genuine historical weight. Few clubs in France can claim a lineage this long or a story this intertwined with the social history of a city.

The course sits at Artiguelouve, southwest of Pau itself, where the rolling farmland of the Béarn opens toward the Pyrenees. On clear days the mountain panorama is striking — a visual backdrop that gives even ordinary rounds a sense of occasion. The terrain is open and parkland in character, with enough movement in the land to keep the routing interesting across all 18 holes.

For visiting golfers, the appeal is layered: a genuinely historic club with a welcoming tradition toward guests, set in Béarn country where Jurançon wine and Basque-influenced cuisine make the wider trip worthwhile well beyond the round itself.