Le Swing: mini-gold at the Parc des Mini-Châteaux
For those first days of the summer holidays, we went off in search of a fun and lively activity to test. An intergenerational, accessible activity to bring grandparents and grandchildren together, as well as groups of friends seeking relaxation. And so, we set off for the Parc des Mini-Châteaux in Amboise, to discover Le Swing – an 18-hole mini-gold course.
A family-friendly mini-golf course with a Mediterranean atmosphere
Located at the end of the Parc des Mini-Châteaux car park, on the heights of Amboise, Le Swing underwent renovation works in 2022. It offers large parking spaces and can be accessed without visiting the park itself. You can head there and play without purchasing a ticket for the Parc des Mini-Châteaux (though we decided to add on a visit to the park after our game). You can pay for your game and collect clubs, balls and a score sheet (very important for competitive players like us!) from a little wooden cabin. Near the reception, a covered and sheltered space allows you to sit down and enjoy a cool drink to share a friendly moment before the game – or after, if you prefer. Toilets are also available.
A mini-golf course adapted to all, to have fun with family
The course environment echoes the Mediterranean landscapes of the south of France, Italy or Greece. The first hole is topped by a large waterfall, buzzing gently as it refreshes the atmosphere. The vegetation is carefully designed and exotic. Among the rock gardens, you’ll spot palm trees, banana trees and cacti, evoking the Provençal pine forests, while rose bushes add fragrance and colour to the course. For an outdoor activity on a sunny day, we found ourselves perfectly shaded by all this vegetation and never suffered from the heat.
But enough chit-chat, let’s get on to the first hole. In golf, the aim is to get the ball in the hole by crossing the course in a minimum number of swings – this is the ‘par’. No pressure, here, it’s not a competition and you won’t be told the ‘par’. What’s important, as Pierre de Coubertin once said, is taking part. And it’s a good idea to keep this maxim in mind when you get started, because this activity is much more complicated than it may seem! Each of the course’s 18 holes has been designed as a mini adventure. They all have their own obstacles of varying difficulty, from straight bridges to tunnels, or steep slopes and hairpin bends. Everything has been designed to force you to find the best angle for your swing. This is not a game of strength, but of reflection. A little too much energy and you’ll bounce off the course (isn’t that right, Justine?).
A lively, intergenerational experience
Our course continued from there and as the puts followed one after the other, everyone began to gain confidence. Some holes, that appeared difficult at first, were tackled with great dexterity! Little by little, we began to get the hang of things. Then, the course went through a more shaded area, before beginning to take to the heights. But before we reached the summit, we had to send the ball through a narrow and oh-so-steep corridor. And for those who made it through, the hole was located at the top of a mini volcano. Without a doubt, this was the hardest hole on the course. Getting it right was almost a miracle! Once this obstacle was finally overcome, the course made its way back down and we headed towards hole no 18. And then it was time to tally up our scores. There had to be a winner, and it was Justine who climbed to the top of the podium, followed by Mélanie. But that’s not what was important. The important thing was a great time shared with colleagues, a moment of 100% relaxation. We laughed at each other’s failures, and our own, and congratulated our competitors for their finest shots.
We had an excellent time at Le Swing. The course took around 1.5 hours, but it all depends on the number of players. Plan 2 hours for 4 people. We enjoyed the shaded environment and Mediterranean setting; you’d never think you were in Amboise. The course perfectly integrated within the landscapes, and each of the 18 holes were unique, presenting a brand new challenge every time. We also appreciated that the course was only revealed little by little. We really had to make our way round hole by hole to discover what came next, with surprises in store at every turn. We found everything we were looking for at Le Swing: a fun, casual activity, adapted to all audiences and at a very reasonable price.
Useful information
- The Le Swing mini-golf course is open every day from 6 July to 31 August from 13:00 to 19:00 (last entry 18:00)
- The route is adapted to all audiences (children from 5–6 years)
- Booking not required
- €6 per person
- Toilets available
- Dogs are not permitted on the course
- Entry to the Parc des Mini-Châteaux is not included in your mini-golf ticket.
- Follow the Parc des Mini-Châteaux Facebook and Instagram
