Of course, that’s hardly even a fraction of the allure of the south of France. The wine, the food, and the people are all distinctly Provençal, and would be a joy to visit whether there was golf to be played or not.

Nestling at the foot of the Alps, and with the Mediterranean lapping at its coast, this is a beautiful part of the world that offers a holiday for everyone.

So all that is required to say is that, of the two major cities in the region (that is, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), Aer Lingus flies to both Marseille and Nice from Dublin, and to Nice from Cork. Ryanair, meanwhile, fly from Dublin to Marseille.

There are plenty of golf courses in the region, but this article will focus firstly on …

Barbaroux Golf Club

Barbaroux Golf Club is in a town called Brignoles, 50km east of Aix-en-Provence, and 40km north of Toulon. Brignoles is tiny, with a population of only 11,000 people. But there must be something to recommend the place, since the counts of Provence founded their palace there in the 12th century. Unsurprisingly, then, it’s an appealing, rustic sort of town that gets overlooked when most people plan their trips to the south of France.

And sitting in the middle of this unassuming town is a golf course designed by the world-famous Pete Dye, which sets this 6068m course out as a course of some skill and technical expertise. And, suitably for a course designed by such world renowned course architects, it has been rated 42nd in the top 50 golf courses in the world by a well-known golf magazine.

The course, which has its own hotel, lies in the middle of the Mediterranean forest, where pine and oak trees abound, providing a marvelous view but a rather tricky challenge for the visiting golfer. But what’s probably of more importance to the average visitor is the fact that the place is sunny all year ‘round.

For a course of such renown, it’ll cost €79 a day, or €65 for the bare 18 holes, or €45 for 9 holes. And it’ll cost you about €30 extra if you want to shuttle around those holes in a golf cart.

And if you grow tired of the golf, you are in the south of France, so you can St Tropez, ramble around the rustic little villages dotted around the area, or go to the next course this article will look at, which is...

Monte Carlo Golf Club

So you’re in Monte Carlo, you’re tired of the yacht and those blasted Formula 1 cars keep whizzing around, disturbing your peace of mind and rattling your Bollinger in your crystal glasses, and it’s blasted hot down here. What do you do? Obviously you go for a quick 18-holes in Monte Carlo Golf Club.

The course has changed little since it was created in 1911, though it has had a small overhaul in 1970 just to keep prospective visitors interested. Getting there might be a hair-raising trip, though, since it’s up Mount Agel and the road is rather narrow, with spectacular (and deadly) views down the steep slopes.

And those views are likely to distract you while you play the course, too, as you take in the entire Mediterranean coast from your perch at, say, the par three fifth. And, mercifully, the heat has diminished to a very pleasant 25 degrees or so, with a cool breeze drying whatever sweat crosses your brow.

This course has been host to quite a few international tournaments, too, and Ian Woosnam set the course record (60; it’s a par 72 course) during the Monte Carlo Open, so despite the view you’ll have a target to focus your mind.

But, since this is Monte Carlo, darling, it’ll cost you a penny or two. It’s €100 a day during the week and €120 on weekends and bank holidays, so if that’s a little rich for your blood you might want to try out...

Marseille la Salette Golf Course

This course is located just north of Marseille (about ten minutes outside the centre of the city), and is a challenging par 71 course and, like most of the courses around the south of France, has pine trees dotted all around. And the course attempts to work in as many of the features of the surrounding topography as possible.

The rates are slightly more manageable than those of Monte Carlo and Barbaroux, with a day’s golf costing €38 from Monday to Thursday, and €49 on Fridays, weekends and bank holidays.

And since you’re now down from the cool of the mountains, if the heat has started to dampen the collar of your shirt, you can always take a dip in the on-course pool.

There are a myriad of opportunities for fine golfing holidays in the south of France, regardless of the depth of your pocket, and the area is renowned for its accommodation, weather, restaurants and the general pleasantness of its environs. It certainly is worth the visit.