On the French Riviera, a region renowned for its exceptional golf courses and relaxed lifestyle, the Golf d’Opio Valbonne perfectly embodies the spirit of the Resonance Golf Collection: offering much more than just a course, it provides a true experience where nature, heritage, gastronomy, and well-being come together.
In February, Resonance Golf Collection is showcasing Golf d’Opio Valbonne, an iconic destination that illustrates the richness and diversity of experiences offered within the collection.
Located in a preserved 220-hectare estate between Cannes and Nice, this historic course, created in 1966 by Donald Harradine, is as appealing for the quality of its layout as it is for its unique atmosphere.
A technical course in a preserved green setting
The Opio Valbonne Golf Course stands out first and foremost for its intelligent and demanding layout. This 5,698-meter, par-72 course winds its way through rolling hills shaded by century-old trees, offering a stimulating technical challenge without being insurmountable. Unlike many courses on the Riviera, which are exposed to the wind, Opio enjoys natural protection that guarantees optimal playing conditions all year round.
Each hole has its own characteristics and challenges. The fairways require precision and strategic thinking, while the perfectly manicured greens reward intelligent play. The course demands good game management and a real variety of shots, making it ideal for golfers of all levels who want to improve or simply enjoy a great game in an enchanting setting.
One of the course’s major assets is its unspoiled environment. The estate is home to remarkable historical heritage, including a Gallo-Roman aqueduct that crosses the property, bearing witness to a thousand years of history. This heritage dimension adds a unique depth to the playing experience, transforming each game into a true immersion in Provençal history.
A comprehensive resort for a premium golf experience
At the heart of the estate stands the 4-star Château de la Bégude, a 17th-century country house converted into a 4-star hotel with 41 rooms and suites. This exclusive location allows golfers to extend their experience in an elegant and relaxing setting, without the hassle of a daily commute.
The rooms combine the charm of traditional Provençal architecture with the modern comforts expected of an establishment of this category. Many of them offer unobstructed views of the course, allowing guests to watch the first rays of sunlight illuminate the fairways or observe the last players finishing their game at dusk.
The generous breakfast, made with high-quality local products, is served overlooking the course. It’s the perfect time to chat with other enthusiasts, plan your day, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings before heading to the first tee.
Provençal cuisine at the service of golfers
After 18 holes under the Côte d’Azur sun, there’s nothing like a gourmet break to recharge your batteries and prolong the pleasure. The Golf d’Opio Valbonne offers a culinary experience that celebrates the riches of the Provençal terroir.
La Bégude restaurant welcomes golfers for lunch in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu, which changes with the seasons, showcases local producers and Mediterranean flavors. Fresh fish from the Mediterranean, sun-kissed vegetables from Provence, local olive oil, meat from local farms…
La Bégude Spa: recovery and wellness after golf
Golf is a demanding sport that works the whole body. Passionate golfers who play multiple rounds know the importance of proper recovery to maintain their level of play and prevent injuries. That’s where Spa La Bégude comes in, the ideal partner for golfers seeking performance and well-being.
This 336 m² space dedicated to relaxation and regeneration offers a complete sensory aqua circuit: sauna to eliminate toxins, steam room to relax muscles, whirlpool bath to relieve joints, sensory shower, and cold bath to stimulate circulation. This circuit can be enjoyed independently or as part of a more comprehensive treatment program.
The massages offered are particularly suited to the needs of golfers. Sports massage targets the areas used during play—back, shoulders, forearms—to release accumulated tension and promote muscle recovery. Therapists, trained in the specifics of golf, can tailor treatments to your needs and level of play.
The treatment menu reflects the Provençal identity of the location with Thalgo products enriched with extracts from the region. Lavender, rosemary, thyme… These characteristic scents of Provence accompany the treatments for a complete sensory experience that prolongs your immersion in this exceptional region.
The spa is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., adapting to the rhythm of golfers. A morning session can prepare the body for the game ahead, while a moment of relaxation in the late afternoon allows you to recover after your efforts and enjoy the evening to the fullest.
A strategic location on the French Riviera
The Golf d’Opio Valbonne enjoys a privileged location that makes it an ideal base for exploring the wealth of golf courses on the French Riviera. Located just 20 minutes from Cannes and Grasse, and 30 minutes from Nice and the international airport, the resort makes it easy to organize golf breaks that include other prestigious courses in the region.
Golfers can therefore plan their schedule by alternating rounds at Opio with discoveries on other great courses in the surrounding area. The Cannes-Mougins Golf Country Club, Royal Mougins, Monte-Carlo Golf Club, and Terre Blanche courses are all less than an hour’s drive away, offering a variety of technical experiences and landscapes.
This geographical location also allows you to combine golf with cultural discovery. Grasse, the world capital of perfumery, reveals its historic houses and fields of perfume flowers. Cannes and its legendary Croisette, Nice and its Promenade des Anglais, the hilltop villages of the hinterland… The possibilities for getaways between two rounds are endless.
The complete experience for the epicurean golfer
A stay at Golf d’Opio Valbonne is like immersing yourself in the Provençal way of life, where golf becomes the thread that ties together a wider experience. A typical day for a passionate golfer might begin with a leisurely wake-up in the comfort of the Château de la Bégude, followed by a hearty breakfast as the first rays of sunshine light up the course.
The morning is devoted to golf, taking advantage of optimal conditions with cool temperatures and soft light that magnifies the contours of the course. Lunch at Brasserie La Bégude allows you to recharge your batteries while savoring local specialties in a relaxed atmosphere where regulars and visitors mingle.
The afternoon offers several options depending on your mood and energy levels. The most enthusiastic players return to the course for a second 18 holes, while others prefer to work on their swing at the driving range with the help of TrackMan. For those who want a change of pace, a session at the spa allows for deep recovery, preparing the body for the next day’s games.
A privileged climate for playing all year round
One of the Côte d’Azur’s major assets for golfers is its exceptional climate, which allows them to enjoy their favorite sport twelve months a year. The Opio Valbonne Golf Course, protected from the wind by its hilly terrain, offers particularly favorable conditions even in the middle of winter.
Spring reveals the course in all its splendor, with vegetation bursting into color and fragrance. Mild temperatures invite long rounds without the oppressive heat of summer. It is also the time when golfers from northern Europe flock to enjoy the Mediterranean sun.
Despite higher temperatures, summer remains very pleasant thanks to the generous shade provided by the century-old trees lining the fairways. Early morning or late afternoon tee times allow you to avoid the hottest hours of the day, while the resort’s outdoor pool offers a refreshing break between rounds.
Autumn unveils a sumptuous palette of colors and ideal playing conditions with generous sunshine and very pleasant temperatures. It is often the favorite season of regulars who appreciate the tranquility that returns after the hustle and bustle of summer.
Even winter retains its charm with over 300 days of sunshine per year. When courses in northern France are closed or impracticable, Opio offers impeccable greens and uninterrupted playing pleasure. For enthusiasts who can’t do without their favorite sport, it’s the ideal destination for maintaining your level and enjoying privileged conditions.
Beyond golf: a region waiting to be discovered
While golf is at the heart of the Opio Valbonne experience, the surrounding area greatly enriches your stay. Just a few minutes away, Grasse reveals its unique olfactory heritage with its historic perfumeries, where you can compose your own perfume or discover the secrets behind the creation of the world’s finest fragrances.
The colorful Provençal markets that enliven the surrounding villages allow you to immerse yourself in the authenticity of the region. Valbonne, Mougins, Opio… Each village has its own weekly market where local producers offer their sun-kissed fruits and vegetables, goat cheeses, honey, olives, and olive oil. These gourmet stops perfectly complement the resort’s gastronomic experience.
For art lovers, the region is brimming with galleries and museums. Antibes and its Picasso collection, Nice and its Matisse and Chagall museums, Mougins and its art village… Artistic creation is an integral part of the Côte d’Azur’s identity and enriches any stay in the region culturally.
Book your exceptional golf vacation
The Golf d’Opio Valbonne is designed for passionate golfers who are looking for much more than just a course. Here, the technical quality of the game is enhanced by a preserved natural setting, state-of-the-art equipment, authentic Mediterranean cuisine, and wellness areas that promote recovery and performance.
Whether you come for an intensive golf weekend, an advanced training course, or a relaxing week combining golf, fine dining, and wellness, Opio has everything you need for a memorable experience. Here, the passion for golf is expressed in its fullest form, where the pleasure of the game is combined with the joy of living each moment to the fullest in an exceptional setting.
The Golf d’Opio Valbonne retains the authenticity and quality that make it a place apart. More than just a course, it is an invitation to discover or rediscover the Mediterranean art of living at its most refined, where every detail counts and where a passion for golf finds its most accomplished expression.