Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
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.
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Franschhoek Reviews
"I adore a little visit to Franschhoek, if it is just for the day to enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the fantastic restaurants, a cheeky weekend breakaway or ..." - Sarah, Cape Town
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 ...
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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
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 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
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
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Things To Do in Franschhoek
Do a Private Wine Tour
Where: Somerset West
How much (per person): On Request
You will be personally escorted on your exclusive wine tour by Richard Hilton, a Cape wine producer (Pax ‘Verbatim’ Vineyards) and lover of ... more information
Franschhoek Wine Bus
Where: Franschhoek
How much (per person): R501 to R1000
This is a three hour trip on the Wine Bus that will take you through vineyards, forest and orchards. A maximum of ten people are permitted ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Franschhoek
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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
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