PARIS, France -- Paris and the Ile de France are awash with treasures. With the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Champs Elysées and the Les Halles district, St Germain-des-Prés and Montmartre, the Louvre and the Pont Mirabeau, the capital can already boast top cultural and tourist attractions without needing to highlight golf. You do, in fact, have to get out of the city to find the courses, which very often have other attractions nearby - the Chateau at Versailles, Fontainebleau, and the Impressionists' Route from Auvers-sur-Oise to Barbizon are the best-known examples.

In the steps of the Sun King, the Golf National, with its 45 holes, is one of the region's jewels. Built on the old wheat fields of the Chateau of Versailles, this golfing complex is a wonderful combination of facilities for practice, fun courses, and a championship stadium. The famous Albatros, the venue of the French Open, has 18 holes winding their way through water hazards, gorse bushes, and broom. With its artificial mounds overlooking above every hole, Europe's top golf stadium is totally focused, driving everything but the game out of one's mind. The Aigle (18 holes) and the Oiselet (9 holes) are a good challenge for the less experienced. When it comes to “après-golf”, a *** Novotel on the site has a swimming pool which is very pleasant in summer.

A change of décor with the Yvelines golf course, laid out in a pretty oak forest. This lively, undulating course criss-crosses the path of a little stream, the Couhard, which can be a spoilsport…

Perfect for beginning in the region, other courses, which are less difficult, like those at St-Quentin en Yvelines (45 holes), Villennes-sur-Seine (18 holes), and Guerville (18 holes), have the perfect fairways for those first swings. The 9 holes at Rueil-Malmaison in Hauts-de-Seine are also ideal for practising.

Around 30 kilometres south of the capital, head for Essonne and the 27 holes at the Etiolles Colonial Country Club. Built in a huge clearing, Les Cerfs, an 18-hole course with wide fairways and vast greens, offers a wide range of game situations. A 9-hole course, Les Chênes, with its Colonial style club-house and a delightful hotel made up of cottages, complete the picture. For beginners, Villeray and Saint-Aubin are a good compromise.

Finally, head north of Paris, taking a detour through the Val d'Oise. One not to be missed - the Mont-Griffon Golf Hôtel. This site, entirely dedicated to golf, has Les Lacs, 18 holes, La Forêt, 9 holes, and L'Arbalétrier, 9 short holes, and there is a three-star hotel on site. And whatever you do, don't miss this practice centre with its 310 station driving range, one third of which is roofed, unique in Europe. This complex, known for the quality of its greens, enables you to enjoy very fine views over the Ysieux valley.

And the Golf de Gadancourt at the heart of the Véxin national park is also in a beautiful setting. A relaxed atmosphere for these 18 holes with greens which are sometimes raised and defended by wide bunkers.

In a different style, there is the compact urban golf-course at Saint-Ouen-l'Aumone, a perfect combination of proximity and accessibility. This concept of golf in town can be found very close to an RER C station, but the “environmental” side is not neglected. Near the Abbey of Maubuisson, the 9 wooded holes have several water hazards. A most enjoyable moment before returning to the capital…