Le touquet is quite french, but it has close british links, not least because both of the opposing courses were designed by british architects, but also because it was once a clubhouse for the british gentry. La forêt was designed by horace hutchinson, and la mer was designed by harry s. colt, according to most contemporary documents.

The decision was taken in 1928 to construct a second course in the dunes, and the daily mail reported in 1930 that this new landscape would feature eighteen of the most beautiful holes a scratch golfer could imagine. The new la mer course opened for play in 1931, but prince edward viii, the prince of wales, quietly âĢľtriedâĢĿ it a few days before the formal opening. Following the destruction of world war ii, restoration work was necessary, and the course remained closed until 1959. In 1997, harold baker revised the style.

Alison's beautiful seaside course, la mer, is one of his finest successes, which is saying a lot given he designed many excellent courses during his career, including hirono. La mer is a classic links course that winds its way through the coastal dunes and rough grasses in the pas de calais region. La mer is perhaps the best true links course in france, with stunning sea views from elevated tees, impressive bunkering, vast dunes, and swift yet strong greens. it can comfortably stand alongside any of its regal neighbors on the other side of the english canal.