Lys Chantilly (Les Chênes)

The residential estate of Domaine du Lys lies to the north of Paris and it was here in 1929 that Tom Simpson was engaged to lay out the gently undulating 18-hole les Chênes course for Club de Lys Chantilly.

The course plays to a par of 70, with only two par five holes, both of which arrive late in the round at the 15th and 18th. One of the more memorable holes is the 278-metre 9th, a short par four that doglegs slightly left from tee to green.

Patrick Cros added a 9-hole track to the property in 1976 and this was extended four years later by Robert Berthed to form the 18-hole Les Bouleaux layout. The club also boasts a 9-hole pitch and putt course for beginners.

An outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts have been added down the years but the main focus of the club remains firmly on its golfing element, despite its diversification into other sporting pursuits.

Entrepreneur and successful businessman Xavier Niel acquired the club and its 300-acre site in 2007 and this led to an immediate investment in infrastructure as the clubhouse and restaurant were both completely renovated.

More recently, NGFGolf has been appointed to manage the club’s operations, meaning Golf du Lys Chantilly will be marketed under the “Exclusiv Golf” brand along with other clubs in the area such as Apremont and Château de Raray.