This pretty 9 hole golf course in Sophia Antipolis was originally known as St Phillipe. But it's under new management, so it's now known as Le Provencal. Part of the same Provencal group that owns an exclusive development in Juan Les Pins, just along from the Belles Rives. The golf course has been upgraded and benefits from a very large clubhouse bar and restaurant overlooking the new 9th green.

I tried Le Provencal Restaurant with a large group of other golfers and while it has to be said the service was very slow, the wonderful backdrop of snow capped mountains on a sunlit day made up for it. The food, when it arrived, was good, and quite reasonably priced. Salads, and steaks were much in evidence and the fish dishes also looked appetizing.

The escargot were exceptional. The menu is ‘local' Provencal with a nod to the type of international cuisine found in big hotels. Club sandwiches are available and on weekdays there's a lunchtime menu for €13.

Le Provencal has a huge terrace, seating upwards of 150 and room for a similar number inside. It does, however, suffer from a lack of parking space which has apparently led to potential customers going elsewhere, particularly at lunchtimes. It's a nice venue for golf and a meal, lots of space but Le Provencal still has to bed in. If you leave it a few months, I'm sure it will improve.

Chris France is an agent with Currencies Direct

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A personal view of the best golf courses in and around Mougins and Valbonne A local guide by someone who plays regularly on some of our local great golf courses READ MORE