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Franschhoek

Franschhoek (South Africa)

Practical information on Franschhoek

  • Romantic
  • Vineyards
  • Place or Historical Monument
  • Essential
5 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
Take the N1 as far as the Cape, then drive towards Franschhoek
When to go
Wine-making season is from Spring through to Autumn
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days

Reviews of Franschhoek

Camille Griffoulieres Seasoned Traveller
116 written opinions

Literally meaning "French corner" in Afrikaans, Franschooek is a small village in the wine region near Cape Town, founded by French huguenots who arrived with the first Dutch colonisers around 300 years ago.

My suggestion:
The village of Franschhoek is quite posh and expensive, but its vineyards and luxurious properties are extraordinary. Your best option would be to stay overnight at Stellenbosch, a larger, more animated town, and only 10 minutes' drive away.
My review

I went to Franschhoek a couple of times, including on Bastille Day (the 14th July). There's a small festival, everything is decorated in blue, white, and red, and people drink wine and eat cheese – it's like being back in France! In fact, it remains similar to France all year round: from the roadside, you can see large signs pointing out properties which produce wine, cognac, cheese and olives.

It really is a charming place, with its little white church, its pretty bars and restaurants, with their large terraces, and its art galleries, all down the main street. The scenery is unusual and absolutely magnificent: vineyards surrounded by mountain peaks. And they really extend a royal welcome to French people here! Along with Stellenbosch and Paarl , it forms part of the golden triangle of the wine region of the Cape.

The Franschhoek church, built in the Dutch Cape style
Camille Griffoulieres Seasoned Traveller
116 written opinions

Literally meaning "French corner" in Afrikaans, Franschooek is a small village in the wine region near Cape Town, founded by French huguenots who arrived with the first Dutch colonisers around 300 years ago.

My suggestion:
The village of Franschhoek is quite posh and expensive, but its vineyards and luxurious properties are extraordinary. Your best option would be to stay overnight at Stellenbosch, a larger, more animated town, and only 10 minutes' drive away.
My review

I went to Franschhoek a couple of times, including on Bastille Day (the 14th July). There's a small festival, everything is decorated in blue, white, and red, and people drink wine and eat cheese – it's like being back in France! In fact, it remains similar to France all year round: from the roadside, you can see large signs pointing out properties which produce wine, cognac, cheese and olives.

It really is a charming place, with its little white church, its pretty bars and restaurants, with their large terraces, and its art galleries, all down the main street. The scenery is unusual and absolutely magnificent: vineyards surrounded by mountain peaks. And they really extend a royal welcome to French people here! Along with Stellenbosch and Paarl , it forms part of the golden triangle of the wine region of the Cape.

The Franschhoek church, built in the Dutch Cape style