The Cabot Collection announced its expansion into continental Europe, the golfing world took notice. Known for turning rugged, spectacular coastlines into pure golfing meccas (i.e. Cape Breton and Saint Lucia), the Canadian-based luxury developer took a monumental step by acquiring the revered Golf du Médoc Resort, transforming it into Cabot Bordeaux.
Just a stones throw away from Bordeaux Airport, Cabot Bordeaux (formerly Golf du Medoc) stretches across a vast expanse of ideal golfing terrain. This region, known as the Left Bank due to it’s location to the left of the Garonne River and the Gironde Estuary is made of a natural deep bed of alluvial sand and Garonne gravel, which offers the golfer and the winemaker free-draining sandy gravel—creating ideal golfing terrain.
In the golf and wine worlds, this specific soil type is pure gold. This terroir affects both the playability of the courses and the legendary wine grown right next door.
When explaining the move into France, Cabot CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar noted that the region’s appeal went far beyond the fairways:
“Bordeaux holds a special place in the hearts of travellers worldwide, known not only for its rich history and stunning landscapes, but also for its remarkable culinary offerings and universally revered wine. We are thrilled to now have a presence in this iconic destination and look forward to offering guests unforgettable experiences that seamlessly blend exploration and cultural immersion with world-class golf.”
It’s this exact philosophy—treating the wine and culture as equal partners to the golf—that defines the new era of the resort.
The result is a masterclass in pairing world-class, architecture-first golf with the unapologetic culinary and viticultural hedonism of the world’s wine capital. Staying close to the roots of the Cabot tradition of walkable , natural courses, Cabot Bordeaux slips perfectly into the existing portfolio.
Golf du Médoc quickly earned a stellar reputation as one of the finest 36-hole properties in France. However, what truly caught the eye of Cabot’s co-founder and CEO, Ben Cowan-Dewar, wasn’t just the resort’s location in the sun-drenched Gironde countryside—it was the design lineage. The property’s two courses were laid out by Bill Coore and Rod Whitman. If those names sound familiar, they are the very same design minds behind the legendary Cabot Cape Breton.
“Going from Cabot Cape Breton to Cabot Highlands to Cabot Saint Lucia to Cabot Bordeaux offers experiences as varied as you could ever imagine,” Bill Coore.
By acquiring and rebranding the property into Cabot Bordeaux, the brand didn’t just expand its geographic footprint; it brought a natural architectural synergy back under one roof. Cabot has introduced a series of thoughtful updates to the resort, modernising the property under the eye of UK interior designer Russell Sage, upgrading course drainage, and introducing a brand-new par-3 course, all while preserving its classic French soul.
The Courses at Cabot Bordeaux
A Tale of Two Masters – Cabot Bordeaux boasts 36 holes of contrasting, world-class golf that beautifully showcase the regional landscape, with both courses offering their own style and characteristics. With neither of them being the outright flagship course, each presents it’s own charm and challenges.
1. Les Châteaux Course Architect: Bill Coore (with Rod Whitman) Opened: 1989 Par / Length: Par 71 | 7,192 Yards (6,576 Metres)
Voted France’s Best Golf Course in 2014 by the World Golf Awards, Les Châteaux is Bill Coore’s third solo design and his only project in continental Europe. Styled in the purest tradition of a Scottish inland links, this championship test meanders through wide-open, unspoiled nature. Don’t let the word “inland” fool you; when the westerly Atlantic breezes whip across the terrain, you could be fooled into thinking you’re on the linksland of Great Britain.
The fairways are fiercely guarded by heather, gorse, and broom, demanding precise driving. In a wonderful nod to its surroundings, each hole is named after a famous Médoc vintage.
Key Holes on Les Châteaux Course:
The par-3 5th and 8th holes are absolute nerve-testers, requiring lengthy carries over expansive lakes.
On the back nine, the dogleg-left 11th features a punishing stream that hugs the left side all the way past the green.
2. Les Vignes Course Architect: Rod Whitman Opened: 1991 Par / Length: Par 71 | 6,821 Yards (6,220 Metres)
If Les Châteaux is a nod to the links, Les Vignes (The Vines) is a celebration of the region’s classic parkland aesthetic. Designed by Canadian architect Rod Whitman (who also served as the project manager for the Châteaux layout), this course carves its way through towering maritime pines and regional heath. Les Vignes is often considered the more strategic of the two. It rewards intelligence and precision over raw power, featuring may doglegs with risk and reward options, elaborately contoured greens and masterfully sculpted bunkers that require a thoughtful blueprint from the tee.
Key Holes on Les Vignes Course:
If you are looking for drama, the 8th hole is a superb example of pure
The 16th is a beautiful par 5 with sculptured bunkering and tree lined fairways.
Cabot Bordeaux Off the Course Experience:
Wine, Wellness, and Wall-to-Wall Luxury. Cabot understands that a premier golf resort requires a hospitality experience to match, and Cabot Bordeaux delivers in a uniquely French fashion.
The property features a 79-room boutique hotel that seamlessly blends sleek, modern luxury with authentic touches from local French artisans. Every room is designed to feel like a “home away from home,” either opening directly out onto the rolling fairways or offering private terraces hidden by lush greenery.
Gastronomy & Wine
You cannot visit Bordeaux without indulging in wine and food, and the resort’s culinary lineup ensures the gastronomy matches the quality of the golf.
Le Table du Médoc:
The resort’s signature restaurant serves refined, locally sourced French cuisine. Crucially, the menu is built to pair with an extraordinary cellar stocked with the finest vintages from the surrounding Médoc region. By offering a relatively tight selection of courses, the quality of the food and attention to detail of the dishes is of highest order.
The Clubhouse & Salon Bar Bibliothèque:
For a post-round pint or a relaxed glass of Grand Cru, the clubhouse offers panoramic views of both courses. This relaxed, social environment feels like a members club and offers the perfect setting for golfers to reflect on their rounds and enjoy a friendly atmosphere.
For total relaxation, the Spa by Cinq Mondes features a heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room, with the option to book custom therapies designed specifically for post-golf recovery. With the hotel being relatively compact, donning the robe provided and making your way to the spa makes for the perfect post round relaxation.
What are the Practice Facilities and Driving Range at Cabot Bordeaux like?
I was extremely impressed with the investment and upkeep of the practice areas here. If you are a golfer who likes to spend time working on their game, you won’t be disappointed, with numerous dedicated chipping, pitching and long game areas all maintained and fully accessible, this is a practicers paradise.
The state-of-the-art Bernard Pascassio Training Center offers cutting-edge golf simulators, a dedicated TaylorMade fitting room, and personalised coaching from top-tier pros.
Why choose Cabot Bordeaux for your next European golfing trip?
Cabot Bordeaux is a seamless marriage of North American architectural genius and timeless French culture. Located just 30 minutes from the historic city center of Bordeaux, it serves as the ultimate base camp for golfers who take their food, wine, and course architecture equally seriously.
For anyone who hasn’t experienced golf in France, the whole experience is far removed from that of Southern Europe, where it can feel like touristic holiday golf. This is golf for the connoisseur and with Cabot’s legendary touch now steering the ship, this property is locked in to remain a jewel in Europe’s golfing crown.
