Often referred to as the ‘Culinary Gem of South Africa’ and the ‘The Valley of Dreams’, Franschhoek forms part of the Cape Winelands region in the Western Cape. The village itself is full of treasures for those seeking art, cafes, delightful boutique stores and some of the best restaurants in the country.
Surrounding this picturesque village are world renowned wine farms that will impress the socks off their visitors with their award-winning wines, exceptional restaurants, organic farm produce, and vistas that stretch across the Franschhoek Valley. Franschhoek’s Wine Tram is a popular and unique way to experience wine tasting in the valley, offering a variety of routes to various farms and a fun ‘hop-on and hop-off’ service.
Rickety Bridge Views
How Franschhoek came to be:
In 1685 hundreds of French Huguenots fled their homeland, arriving by ship at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Many of these people were allocated land by the Dutch government in an area called ‘Oliphantshoek’, meaning Elephant’s Corner, and named after the large herds of elephants that used to roam this region. This was later renamed ‘Franschhoek’, meaning French corner, because of the French Huguenots who settled there. Today, you will find the Huguenot Monument that pays tribute to these pioneers and many of the farms still carry their French origins.
Wine Farms worth visiting in Franschhoek:
Babylonstoren
Boschendal
Chamonix Wine Farm
Dieu Donne Vineyards & Tasting Room
Haute Cabriere Wine Farm
La Bri
La Motte Wine Farm
Leopards Leap Restaurant and Wine Farm
Lynx Wines
Rickety Bridge
Restaurants worth visiting in Franschhoek:
Allora
Babel Restaurant
Café du Vin
Franschhoek Station Pub and Grill
French Connection Bistro
La Petite Colombe
La Petite Ferme
Lust Bistro and Bakery
Orangerie at Le Lude
Reubens Restaurant Franschhoek
Annual Events in Franschhoek
Bastille Festival
Boschendal Friday Night Market
Cap Classique and Champagne Festival
Franschhoek Saturday Market
Literary Festival
Open Gardens
Babylonstoren Gardens
References:
Visit Franschhoek; Accessed 17 April 2024; visit-franschhoek.co.za;
Franschhoek; Accessed 17 April 2024; franschhoek.org.za