Franschhoek is a picturesque town that is gently nestled between towering mountains in the spectacular Cape Winelands and is renowned for its French flair, wines and restaurants. Not only is Franschhoek South Africa’s Culinary Capital; this town is the only member in the southern hemisphere of the Delice Network of Good Food Cities of the World.
There are many fine restaurants which collectively offer Cape Huguenot, French, traditional Malay and South African cuisine. It goes without saying that wine tasting is incredibly popular. Local wines from Franschhoek range from Sauvignon Blanc to Chardonnay, Semillon, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Franschhoek also produces fine specimens of Methode Cap Classiques. Go shopping for traditional crafts, designer clothing, jewellery, collectable books or handcrafted chocolates. Local art galleries and antique shops are equally popular in Franschhoek. Take time out from a jam-packed shopping programme by resting under the shade of a tree at a quaint coffee shop.
For the more adventurous, Franschhoek offers wonderful paragliding launch sites just above the town and in the nearby pine plantations, wine tasting on horseback and some awesome mountain bike trails. Try to time your visit around the period that popular events take place such as the annual Bastille Day - usually in July - and the Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival in December.
You are spoiled for choice in terms of the numerous routes in Franschhoek: the Food and Wine Route; the Artisan Food Route; The Franschhoek Rond en Bont Route - which exposes the visitor to diverse culinary experiences; The Franschhoek Cap Classique Route and The Franschhoek Artisan Food Route. The latter exposes you to local artisanal breads, charcuterie, olives, salmon trout and cheeses.
Accommodation in Franschhoek will transport guests from busy city life into a world of beautiful natural scenery, charming architecture and ...
The mountains of the Boland do not form so much a series of ranges as a mountain whorl, with the epicentre just about plumb in the middle of...
Franschhoek Pass was originally built along a course that migrating elephants had trampled into the slopes of the mountain over many centuri...
This self-drive route from Cape Town features a selection of wine estates around the Cape Winelands. Wine lovers will enjoy the pleasure of ...
In 1688, a community of 176 Protestant French Huguenots applied for permission to settle at the Cape. The Huguenots decided that they would ...