When industrialist Baron Marcel Bich ( creator of the Bic pen brand) and businessman Yoshiaki Sokurai sat down, as friends in life and business, to conceive of a new golf getaway in the Loire Valley, the visions they brought were unusually similar. Here was a part of the world already romanticized, where the quintessence of French country life was captured. Regal chateaux spot the hillsides. Vineyards roll through copses of trees. As the country’s intellectual capital in the medieval days, Orleans and the surrounding countryside was home to artisans, merchants, chefs, troubadors, poets, and the like. Unfettered lands and intellectualism presided over the area. Cultural depth was paramount. It was the same virtues of the good life, no doubt, that Bich and Sokurai envisioned for the golf resort they set out to build. The end goal was a place that would appeal to the game’s great enthusiasts, those who could appreciate an opening drive down a dew-soaked fairway at dawn.

Richness of experience, in all its interpretations, was the dimension that the founders of Les Bordes felt would attract travellers from all over the world, while still indulging their own desires. To help draw the international client to a particularly elegant parcel of French countryside, the men decided to entrust Texan Robert von Hagge with the design, a name synonymous with expertise in American golf. With over 200 designs around the world on a variety of different landscapes, von Hagge is widely considered one of the most versatile championship architects. On the lakelands and treed space of the Les Bordes estate, where Bich once hunted for sport, the course winds its way through ancient, elegant forest, and the same atmosphere pervades the entire complex.

Rooms at Les Bordes are simple enough, fitting seamlessly in the surrounding environment. With vaulted roofs and exposed oak beams, each cottage-style accommodation is individually designed to reflect the countrified ambiance of the French woodlands. Handmade furnishings, elegant light fixtures and a luxurious bathroom equipped with plush towels makes each room seem customized. There are no “neighbours,” per say. Your rustic chalet in the woods feels as though it could be miles away from civilization. With Orleans 35 kilometers to the north, it almost is. Taking the opportunity to explore some of the cultural capital in the region is essential. This is not the France of generic expectation or preconceptions. It is distinctly not Paris, a world-class destination with its very own nervy character. The environs to the south of Orleans, where the Sologne forest adjoins the river valley, must be explored on any visit. Like a backwoods fairytale, guests are invited to traipse through the forest and enjoy everything to be found outside your door. Old cathedrals, ancient market towns, and abundant wildlife can be found throughout the Loire Valley, and much of this vitality is infused in all aspects of Les Bordes resort.

Once a hunting estate, it comes as no surprise that the dining experience here is exceptional. The fixed evening menu in the main dining room clearly aspires to brings authentically French flavours to the palate, and the overall impression is one of divine balance. Duck liver pate, deer fillet, steamed turbot, veal kidneys and cheeseboard salad are among the choices. As expected, the wine menu to complement these dishes is extensive, borrowing greatly from some of the fine vineyards located right in the valley. At the head of the list is the Baron’s own St. Emilion Grand Cru, a fine locally produced vintage that pairs beautifully with much of the menu. While dinner is the highlight, there are a myriad of occasions to enjoy the fresh ingredients of the region. Breakfast can be a strong cup of French roast with a freshly baked pastry, and a chitlin sausage with a cheese platter makes for a fine late lunch.

The charm of the experience comes from the subtle details of luxury. Despite a budget that saw no limit, the resort fits seamlessly in with the environment and culture of the Loire Valley. The baron and Mr. Sakurai could have easily allowed their affluence to effect the style and décor, but the Baron’s ambitions from the beginning, to make this prestigious club in the woods, was to ensure it retained an allegiance to traditions. To that end, it was made perfectly clear that as little disturbance as possible was to be made to the surroundings during construction, and the baron’s wife was charged with the details of décor. Exuding an air of privilege and privacy, but noticeably absent of pretensions, this little oasis in the lake-riddled woods south of Paris is a spectacular overseas destination, or a weekend reprieve from the bustle of a major city.