Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
Once you've booked your Franschhoek accommodation explore our pages for info on attractions and what to do in Franschhoek.
The French corner of the Cape, Franshoek lies in one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world, just 45 minutes’ from Cape Town and within half an hour of the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Somerset West wine routes.
This traditionally French town is the food and wine capital of the country and one would be hard pressed to dispute the claim. Eight of the top 100 restaurants in the country are found in Franshoek, there are nigh on 30 wine cellars and over 28 restaurants from which to choose for your gastronomic experience. The Franschhoek valley has recently launched a Cap Classique route that includes nine cellars, within a distance of 4 km, in a combined marketing initiative. The sparkling wine tour includes teaching visitors about the methods of making Cap Classique in a unique attempt to add value to wine consumption.
Franshoek’s village has a wonderful collection of art and antique shops and galleries and the main streets are lined with restaurants and coffee shops. It is easy to spend a day here and it serves as an excellent springboard to other wine routes and the Four Passes Fruit Route, of which Franshoek is also part; and there are a number of walking trails in the surrounding mountains, for the more energetic.
If you are planning to visit Franschhoek you may also be interested in our article on Franschhoek published here - Franschhoek, A Visitors Perspective or you can view all articles in our blog filed under Franschhoek.
Get the Scoop
Franschhoek Reviews
"Try to attend one of the wonderful classical music concerts at La Motte, and the Classic Music festivals which Christopher Duigan organises in Franschhoek ..." - Cheryl, Simonstown
Visitorials: We Love South Africa
Franschhoek Visitorial
I Love Franschhoek because ...
Featured in: Visitorials: We Love South Africa
We’ve asked those in the know to share their favourites things about Franschhoek. Find out where locals go for the best cup of coffee, lunch suggestions and much more. We’re letting you in on all of their secrets ... I Love Franschhoek because ...
Related Links
Featured Attractions in (or near) Franschhoek
Afrikaanse Taalmuseum
The Afrikaanse Taalmuseum (language museum) in Paarl, set on the banks of the Berg River, and roughly 50 kilometres north east of Cape Town, is at once associated with the Afrikaanse Taalmuseum, and a dedication to the Afrikaans language. The Afrikaans Taal museum offers a contemporary exhibition on the origins of ... more information
Bottelary Hills Wine Estates
Nestled amidst the idyllic beauty of the Cape Winelands is the Bottelary Hills region, home to a number of acclaimed wine farms as well as to the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy. This area (including Stellenbosch) was founded by explorer Simon van der Stel (the first ... more information
Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve
Lying within the Western Cape's Cape Floral Kingdom, the 322 030 hectare Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) lies roughly 40 km east of Cape Town. It was officially registered by UNESCO in September 2007. The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve is bordered in the south by ... more information
Du Toitskloof Pass
Du Toitskloof Pass lies on the R101 between Paarl and Worcester, although these days most people are not even aware they're on the pass for they opt to use the Huguenot Tunnel, which means you shave a significant 11 kilometres off the original drive. You can still scale the heights of this impressive pass that ... more information
Franschhoek Motor Museum
If you are even vaguely into cars, then the Franschhoek Motor Museum is worth a visit. Over 400 vehicles that range from the Beeston Motro Tricycle (1898) to the 2003 Ferrari model, there is something to make everyone drool, even if you're not an ardent fan of the automobile. Museum it might be, but forget the ... more information
Franschhoek Wine Estates
Franschhoek has been one of South Africa’s chief wine-making regions for centuries, and this history permeates every element of the town. Historical architecture adds to the experience of sampling some of the world’s finest wines for a truly memorable time. The valley itself is practically ... more information
Franschhoek Wine Route
The Valley of the Huguenots, as Franschhoek is also known, became home to a community of French Huguenots who fled their country from religious persecution. The Huguenots soon recognised that this valley had very similar weather to the wine growing regions in France. Today, over 300 years later, this ... more information
Franschhoek Wine Valley Food and Wine Route
Franschhoek Wine Valley Food and Wine Route includes the restaurants and wine estates that fall into the Franschhoek valley, even if these borders have relaxed somewhat to include the R45 between Klapmuts and Simondium. Already regarded as the 'gourmet capital' of South Africa, the map ... more information
Helshoogte Pass
Helshoogte Pass, one of the most loved and travelled roads in the Western Cape, links Stellenbosch with the Drakenstein Valley, a scenic pass that transports one over the saddle that separates Simonsberg from the Jonkershoekberge and wends its way past fruit farms and vineyards en route. The ... more information
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
The 42,000 ha Reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch mountains in the west, eastwards to the Groenland mountains. The entrance to the reserve is at Nuweberg, situated high in Viljoen's Pass, between Grabouw and Villiersdorp. The ... more information
Huguenot Memorial
The Huguenot Monument is dedicated to the cultural influences that French Huguenots have brought to the Cape Colony after their immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Memorial Museum neighbouring the monument elaborates on the history of the French Huguenots who settled in the Cape. more information
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
The beautiful Jonkershoek Nature Reserve lies in the Jonkershoek Valley just above Stellenbosch. Surrounded by the magnificent Jonkershoek Mountains, part of the Boland mountain range, this is the place for wonderful hikes within their peaks and never-ending kloofs. In total, the Jonkershoek ... more information
Limietberg Nature Reserve
Lying in the Du Toitskloof Mountains close to Paarl, Limietberg Nature Reserve is a beautiful space in which to spend time, particularly if you are a hiker. There are nine separate hiking trails that wind through fynbos, indigenous forest, rugged and steep kloofs, and valleys through which the Breede and Berg rivers ... more information
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve lies in part of the UNESCO Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve on the Franschhoek Pass. Described by visitors as 'incredible' and 'beautiful', the reserve is extremely popular with hikers and day visitors who head to the reserve to enjoy the views and ... more information
Paarl Vintners
Paarl Vintners has earned its place as the world’s first ‘red route’ because of its focus on wines such as Roodeberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, port and Shiraz. The Paarl district includes the wards of Franschhoek and Wellington as well as the newer wards of Simonsberg-Paarl and Voor-Paardeberg. more information
Pearl Valley Golf Course
The Pearl Valley Golf Estate is surrounded by the Simonsberg and Drakenstein Mountains and bordered by vineyards with The Berg River water hazard running through it. Pearl Valley Signature Golf Estate and Spa is destined to become the premier residential golf estate in South Africa. Designed on ... more information
Theewaterskloof Dam
On the Sonderend River close to the little town of Villiersdorp lies Theewaterskloof Dam. It is a large, sprawling, remarkably unround dam that lies on the R45 that links Villiersdorp to Franschhoek. Parts of the drive past the dam are almost surreal with the heads of ... more information
Related Links
Things To Do in Franschhoek
Dutoitskop Hiking Trail
Where: Franschhoek
How much (per person): Free
Dutoitskop Trail is a breathtaking hiking trail that starts at the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve office on Franschhoek Pass. The route climbs ... more information
Solms-Delta Wine Estate
Where: Groot Drakenstein
How much (per person): On Request
Professor Mark Solms is currently overseeing the rebirth of this Franschhoek farm which has produced wine for four centuries. Renowned for d ... more information
Related Links
Restaurants in Franschhoek
Backsberg Estate Cellars
Where: Franschhoek
Set in the garden on the sprawling grounds of the Backsberg Wine Estate, Backsberg restaurant is an alfresco experience during summer - moved indoors next to roaring fire in winter. An a la carte menu ... more information
Café BonBon
Where: Franschhoek
Set on a historical working fruit and wine farm and only two kilometres from the Franschhoek town centre, this idyllic eatery with beautiful views of olive and fruit trees should be on your must visit ... more information
Related Links
Events and/or Festivals in Franschhoek
Related Links
On Holiday in Franschhoek
• Franschhoek Map
• Franschhoek Accommodation
• Franschhoek Hotels
• Cape Winelands Accommodation
• Cape Winelands Hotels
• Franschhoek Bastille Festival
• Franschhoek - A Visitors Perspective
• Western Cape Accommodation
Visiting Franschhoek?
Also see Things To Do in Cape Winelands or check out Things To Do in Western Cape to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many, many more.
- Introduction to the Western Cape
- Destination Guide
- Accommodation Guide
- Search by Map
- Cape Town Conferences
- Wedding Guide
- Touring the Western Cape
- Transport & Travel Arrangements
- Out and About
- Südafrika Reise
Für Deutsche Besucher
Suedafrika-Reise.net bringt Ihnen das umfangreichste Angebot an Links, um Südafrika zu "bereisen": hier und jetzt auf Ihrem Bildschirm.
Urlaub in Kapstadt
2. Search by Map
3. TGCSA Star Grading
4. AA Grading
5. Family Friendly
