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About Franschhoek

Franschhoek (Dutch for ‘French Corner’) is a city in the Cape Winelands of South Africa.

Franschhoek was founded by French Huguenots settlers (hence the name), who fled the inquisition in Europe and were looking for a little hide-out on the other side of the world. They found it in the fertile valley of Franschhoek – initially known as Oliphantshoek, as they valley was known for its large numbers of elephants.

Even though most people don’t speak French, many of the street names, restaurant names and wine farms in the ‘French Quarter’ have French names.

Franschhoek makes a serious attempt at being the food and wine capital of South Africa and there are many fine restaurants. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy top food and wine, in a spectacular atmosphere.

See

Franschhoek is a place to relax. Stroll up or down the main street and take your time to have a look around. The mountains surrounding Franschhoek are spectacular and there are many places you can reach within easy driving distances.

• Huguenot Memorial and Museum, Corner of Hugenot&Lambrecht St, ☎ +27 (0)21 876-2532. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 2PM-5PM. R10. (-33.914695,19.123721)
• The Franschhoek Motor Museum, L’Ormarins Wine Farm, ☎ +27 (0)21 874-9000 (fmm@fmm.co.za, fax: +27 (0)21 874-9100). Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa, Su 10AM-3PM. edit

Do

• Rent a bike to go up and down the hills along the wine farms.
• Go fishing to some of the lakes nearby
• Go wine tasting in some of the many excellent wineries. Some are reachable on foot from the village; you can use a shuttlebus or arrange a wine tour for those that aren’t
• Eat at some of the fantastic restaurants in Franschhoek
• Winelands Experience, Place Vendome Lifestyle Centre, 13 Main Road (Centrally located on the main road into Franschhoek just before the BP Garage), ☎ +27 (0)21 876-4042. 8:30AM-5PM. High quality wine tours and scenic tours in the winelands. Also offer transfers to Cape Town and the airport as well as accommodation and car rental.