This year the biennial Vivendi Seve Trophy returns to Saint-Nom-la Bretèche, 15 miles west of Paris, for the second time, with Continental Europe looking to improve their rather lacklustre record in the competition. Earlier this year it was decided that the tournament would be renamed the Vivendi Seve Trophy, in honour of the late Seve Ballesteros, who died in May. Although, considering the tournament was originally called the ‘Seve Trophy’ before being changed to the ‘Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros’, it was the least Vivendi could do.

Five-time major winner Ballesteros founded the tournament at the turn of the millennium in order to provide top-level game time to continental Europeans in preparation for the Ryder Cup. The tournament, which alternates with the Ryder Cup, will take place from September 15th to 18th, and is warming up to be a real classic. France, having won the rights to host the 2018 Ryder Cup will be looking to put on a show.

Whilst Spain’s José María Olazábal is taking over next year’s Ryder Cup captaincy from Colin Montgomery, the man from the Basque Country will select the captain for both the Continental Europe & Great Britain and Ireland sides, and is sure to have a keen eye trained on the form of his key men.

The Europeans look to up their game

The Continental Europeans have a poor record in the tournament, having won only the first tournament, before losing the subsequent five. The strong favourite for captaincy is Miguel Ángel Jiménez, who will be keen impressive his fellow Spaniard and reverse the fortunes of the Continental team, although with hotshot German Martin Kaymer on the team, anything is possible. Also expect to see appearances from top Scandinavians Anders Hansen and Alex Noren, 2010 Ryder Cup representative Francesco Molinari, and five-time European Tour winner Álvaro Quirós. Crowd-favourite and cigar connoisseur Darren Clarke is likely to be named captain of Britain & Ireland, who have an abundance of golfing talent at their disposal. Clarke, who comes off the back of a sensational win at the Open Championship, will be joined by fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlory, and Englishmen Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, who are number 1 and 2 respectively in the current World Golf Rankings.

A team competition, the Vivendi Seve Trophy pits the top ten players Continental Europe against their British & Irish counterparts. Similar but not identical to the Ryder Cup, the teams will compete of four days, with five fourballs on the first and second days, four greensomes and four foursomes on the third day, and ten singles on the last day. A total of 28 points are awarded, meaning 14 ½ is required to win.

Saint-Nom-La-Bretéche – a stone’s throw from Paris

Saint-Nom-la Bretèche is just 15 miles from Paris, so visiting this dazzlingly glamorous city could hardly be easier, although many people understandably choose to stay in the city itself. Travelling to and from Paris by car is simple enough – just head east down the A13 and follow the signs. There is also a regular train connection between Saint-Nom-la Bretèche and Saint-Lazare Station in Paris.

Paris breaks offer an array of things to do, whether you stay in the city or not, for four days you’ll have the whole of Paris’s famously chic nightlife on your doorstep. Parisian dining is sumptuous affair, and although you may struggle to find a decent curry, with all gastronomic delights of France on offer you won’t need to. Everywhere you look in the Latin Quarter you are confronted with signs of the French love affair with food. From gourmet bistros and haute cuisine to family-run patisseries and classic home cooked French fare, it’s practically impossible not to dine well here. If you want to combine a Parisian dining experience with some well-earned retail therapy, then head to the prestigious Champs-Élysées, home to many fashionable boutiques, exquisite restaurants and the must-see Arc de Triomphe. Other top dining areas include The Grand Boulevards, Beaubourg and Les Halles, and The Bastille, but frankly, wherever you turn in this cosmopolitan culinary capital, you’ll find something to suite your taste (as long as that taste includes l’escargot!). If you’d like to enjoy the very highest echelon of French cookery, than you’re in luck as Paris has over 150 Michelin-star restaurants. It is advisable to book well ahead. Taking in a show after dining is de rigueur in Paris, and the legendary Moulin Rouge, the home of Can-Can dancing, comes highly recommended.

The Icons of Paris

Paris is a city of remarkable attractions. Indeed, you could spend a lifetime wandering the pretty tree-lines boulevards and winding cobblestoned alleys, admiring the endless architectural treasures, but on a whistle-stop tour of the city there are several attractions in Paris that are simply unmissable.

If you have never seen (or climbed) the Eiffel Tower than that’s the place to start. Towering over the city, this iconic iron structure was erected in 1889, and at the time was considered by many to be a monstrous metal blight upon the city’s legendary beauty. Oh how the times have changed, today it is one of the world’s most beloved attractions and a proud symbol of French architectural innovation. All three levels are open to the public and you can take the stairs from the second level if you’re feeling fit, although taking the lift is excusable if you’ve been following all the action on the fairways for four days! The breathtaking views from the top will stay with you forever – really not to be missed. Be warned though, even for people as desensitised to queuing as the British, the crowds of sightseers are astonishing (tip: book online!). Hot on the heels of the Eiffel Tower as Paris’ most celebrated attraction, is the resplendent Notre Dame Cathedral, which is actually the most visited site in Paris. Utterly sublime in its construction and completely lacking in generic architectural practices, from the tallest tower to the darkest crypt, this spectacular cathedral is the world’s foremost example Gothic architecture. Be sure to climb the 422 steps to the bell Emmanuel on the western façade, avoiding the gargoyle stares along the way, as the views from the top are sublime.

Paris is a city of art lovers. In fact it may be THE city of art lovers. From Van Gogh to Picasso, the world’s most revered artists have used Paris as a root of inspiration, and that is reflected in the magnificence of the galleries available. Without a shred of doubt one of the world’s finest art galleries, Le Louvre is home to a inspiring, almost unparalleled collection of Western artwork, generally centred around the period from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Just some of the names represented here include Michelangelo, Botticelli, Titian, Raphael, and da Vinci – an impressive roll-call in anyone’s eyes! The sheer colossal size of the museum is difficult to comprehend, and you stand no chance of seeing every masterpiece housed there in one visit, so write a small shortlist and wander around at a leisurely speed.

The Vivendi Seve Trophy provides the perfect opportunity to visit the historic and UNESCO World Heritage listed Palace of Versailles. During the months of September and October this year, the palace gardens are hosting the ‘Musical Fountains’ display – an incredible mix of water fountains and jets, classical music and light shows. This is a wonderful way to spend a relaxing afternoon after the inevitable thrills and spills of the tournament.

No other city is quite like Paris, romantic, effortlessly cultured and eternally beautiful, and for golf fans: the chance to see European’s finest players compete whilst staying in one Europe’s finest cities could well be an opportunity to good to miss!