The Albatros saves one of its most exacting shots for the 18th, a par four played into a natural amphitheatre where water guards the front and left side of the green. At 7,331 yards and par 72, this is a proper championship examination, built around links-influenced contours, deep bunkering and lakes that repeatedly ask for a clear plan from the tee. The broad greens have plenty of movement, so the second shot is rarely a simple flag hunt. Distance control matters throughout, particularly when the wind gets into the open ground. The course has staged the 2018 Ryder Cup and the golf competition at the 2024 Olympic Games, but its appeal for a holiday round lies in having to work out the best line and landing area for yourself.
A 2026 redesign retains that character while sharpening the strategic choices. Holes 4, 5 and 6 have been entirely reworked, with new routing, shaping and playing surfaces, while greens on 1, 2, 9, 15, 17 and 18 have been reshaped. Rebuilt bunkers on 2, 9, 14 and 18 add further definition, and the new back tee on 15 gives championship players more ground to cover. Hardier grasses, improved irrigation and water management are also part of the work, helping the course respond to the demands of modern play.
The adjacent Novotel Saint Quentin en Yvelines makes the change from final putt to evening meal straightforward, with bed and breakfast stays paired with rounds on both Albatros and the more accessible L’Aigle course. L’Aigle brings undulating fairways, rolling greens and defined rough to the itinerary, offering a different test between Albatros rounds. Back at the main clubhouse, French food and drinks come with views over the closing holes, while the Heritage practice area is on hand for short game work before another go at that water guarded finish.
Send us the dates and the group size and a golf travel specialist will come back with tee times, rooms, and a price within one working day.
