THE FACTS ABOUT CHANTILLY

France

WHAT? In an area better known for Hermès and horse racing, lies the classiest of French golf courses. The original, rudimentary layout of Chantilly was transformed by Tom Simpson in the 1920s. It remains a design classic, a bit like Hermès WHERE? About half-an-hour's drive north of Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, surrounded by the Forest of Chantilly and the polo fields of the Club du Domaine. Its address, on the allée de la Ménagerie, is misleading: this course is a place of aristocratic tranquillity WHY? An escape from the gimmickry of modern course design. Simpson also designed Cruden Bay in Scotland and Morfontaine in France. It's hard to choose between those two, but Chantilly has more style than both put together WHEN? The championship course at Chantilly, called the Vineuil, isn't usually crowded, provided you avoid the main Parisian holidays. Midweek is best. When the winter begins to take its toll in the UK, the Forest of Chantilly can be rejuvenating CONTACT 60500 Chantilly, France (00 33 3 44 57 04 43; fax: 44 57 26 54). Green fees from about £45