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Key Takeaways
- Art meets golf: An exhibition from August 29 to November 15, 2026, at the Hubert Privé showroom in Les Barils, Normandy, brings together 17 artists inspired by the game.
- Star guest appearance: Philippe Geluck’s famous “Le Chat” is on display, adding a humorous and offsetting perspective that bridges comics and contemporary art.
- Full-day experience: The “Golf & Art” package offers a 9-hole round, a bistronomic lunch, a guided tour, and a raffle—all for €75 per person, minimum 10 participants, Wednesday through Sunday, by reservation.
Why This Exhibition Is Different
Let me tell you something. I’ve spent thirty-six years chasing the little white ball, and I still get a thrill when I see it framed against a green horizon. But here’s the thing nobody talks about: golf is as much an art as it is a sport. The swing is a sculpture in motion; the course is a landscape painted by nature.
That’s why I’m pointing you to an exhibition in Normandy that gets it. From August 29 to November 15, 2026, the Hubert Privé showroom in Les Barils hosts “Le Golf, tout un art” — a collection of works by 17 artists, each interpreting the game through their own lens. Painters, sculptors, illustrators, photographers — all have taken a crack at the same subject, and the results are as varied as a links course in the wind.
The Artist Behind the Vision
Hubert Privé, a Norman sculptor whose work is steeped in golf, opened his showroom precisely to bring this unlikely pairing to life. His pieces have long reflected the game’s rhythm and discipline — not in a literal sense, but in the way he captures the tension and release of a well-played shot. It’s no surprise he’d gather others to join him in this obsession.
Seventeen Views of the Game
The exhibition isn’t just a single artist’s take; it’s a chorus. Alongside Privé’s work, you’ll find pieces by Jean-Frédéric Prévoté, a standout piece from Sacha Sosno (courtesy of Francis Benguigui), and — a last-minute addition that’ll make you grin — the iconic **Le Chat** by Philippe Geluck.
That’s right, the moustachioed cat is making a special appearance. And it’s a stroke of genius. Geluck’s humor, a mix of deadpan and playful, brings a new layer to the exhibition — a reminder that golf, for all its seriousness, is also a game to be enjoyed.
A Day on the Course, a Feast for the Senses
The organizers didn’t just hang pictures on a wall. They crafted an experience for groups of golfers that I’d have jumped at if I were still scheduling outings with the old gang. The **“Golf & Art”** day, available Wednesday through Sunday by reservation, combines:
- Welcome coffee at the Golf de Center Parcs Les Bois-Francs
- A 9-hole round
- Bistronomic lunch at Le Barilois, with a complimentary aperitif
- Guided tour of the exhibition
- Grand raffle with top-notch prizes
- Closing drink
At €75 per person, with a minimum of 10 participants, it’s a package that combines exercise, culture, and good food — no gimmicks, just the essentials. You’ll walk the course, digest a fine meal, and then stand back and see the game through an artist’s eyes. For my money, that’s a day worth the trip.
The Setting: Normandy, of Course
The whole affair unfolds in Les Barils, a sleepy corner of Normandy that’s home to the Center Parcs resort and, now, this artistic gem. The showroom sits at 5 route de Verneuil, 27130 Les Barils — easy to find, even for those who prefer following a map to asking directions.
And if you’re hungry, Le Barilois is the real deal — a restaurant dedicated to French and local products. After 18 (or 9) holes, there’s nothing finer than sitting down to a meal that doesn’t taste like a clubhouse sandwich. This place does it right.
Why You Should Go
Look, I get it. I’ve been skeptical of change in golf — the tech, the carts, the way we’re nudged away from walking the course. But an exhibition like this? It reminds me that the game has always been more than scores and stats. It’s about the feel of the fairway underfoot, the lines of a driving iron, the pattern of a bunker’s lip. That’s why Bobby Jones, who knew a thing or two about aesthetics, would’ve approved.
So, if you’re in Normandy—or even if you’re not but have a longing for a proper day out—book a spot. Call Hubert Privé at [email protected] to reserve. The exhibition runs until November 15, 2026, so you’ve got time. But slots for the Golf & Art package, especially on weekends, fill up fast. Don’t wait.
The game doesn’t owe you anything. But it’s given us a heritage of art, discipline, and beauty. Go see it for yourself. Walk the course, then walk the gallery. You’ll understand.
Playing golf since before GPS rangefinders existed. Eddie covers the classic game — courses, technique, and the stories worth keeping.