Franschhoeck

This valley tightly hemmed in by mountains, is named after the French Huguenots who fled to the Cape after religious persecution in 1688. They brought with them a sound knowledge of viniculture and settled down to make wine in the ‘French Glen’ where the estates and many families still have French names. There is just one main street lined with wine estates and a few antique shops, cafes and restaurants until at the end you find the impressive Huguenot Memorial and Museum set in rose gardens by a peaceful lily pond.

Franschhoek is the ideal area for a day of estate touring and wine tasting and most farms readily welcome visitors to sample some of South Africa’s top wines. There is a wide selection of wines, from superb whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc to the rich reds of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot.

Franschhoek is also known as the gourmet capital of the Cape and the small town features a number of acclaimed restaurants with everything from delicious Cape country fare to sublime French cuisine.