Overview

Franschhoek is hailed as the “Valley of Dreams" is a spectacular hidden gem in the Western Cape Winelands in South Africa. This charming historic wine town boasts centuries-old vineyards and stunning Cape Dutch architecture, known for its one-of-a-kind wine farms, and luxurious accommodations. The name translates to “French Corner” in Afrikaans, it is known as the food and wine capital of South Africa and was hailed as one of the top 50 places in the world to visit in 2022. A top wine and culinary destination is ripe with spectacular verdant vineyards nestled in the picturesque valley at the foot of the scenic Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. 

This region is world-renowned for its scenic natural beauty as it rests in the rich and fertile valley between majestic soaring mountains, in the heart of Cape Wineland. This winemaking wonderland draws wine and food enthusiasts from all over the world to discover the bountiful valley and all that it has to offer. Franschhoek is home to some of the best wineries in the entire country and has many opportunities for tastings and tours, as well as full-day experiences. 

Things to see and do

Visit the Huguenot Chocolate Factory and learn about the chocolate-making process as well as sample the delicious local chocolate and other sweet treats. 

Check out the Huguenot Memorial Museum in Saasveld Manor House and learn the history of the French Huguenots who arrived in South Africa during the 17th century to escape prosecution from the authorities for their beliefs. They brought grape plants and the tradition of wine-making to the country. 

The Franschhoek Motor Museum is located in the vineyards of L’Ormarins farm and is home to hundreds of beautiful cars from the first Ford cars assembled in 1904 to modern Formula 1 cars, some are very unique and there are only 2 or 3 of the makes in the entire world. 

Get outdoors and explore the beautiful natural scenery of Franschhoek and its surroundings. It is a great destination for hiking and other outdoor sports.

Visit Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve located just outside of town, a UNESCO-declared Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve which means there is a balanced amount of nature and human activity in the protected areas. The reserve features around 19 miles of well-maintained hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty. It is a great opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenic views over the sprawling verdant Franschhoek Valley below. 

Visit Babylonstoren which is world famous for its magnificent gardens inspired by the original Company’s Garden in Cape Town. There is a hotel and spa onsite, farm shops, a coffee shop, a restaurant, and a glass-enclosed tasting room. 

Check out some of Franschhoek’s colorful art galleries that are set along Huguenot Street, the main drag downtown. There are dozens of fun galleries located along the street including AITY, The Rodwell Gallery, Abe Opperman, and Ebony/Curated. Everard Read is the oldest gallery in the country with two branches in Franschhoek. 

Visit the Friday Night markets held at the historic Werf at Boschendal. The buzzing night market features live music, kid's activities, food, drink, and fairy lights to set the scene for a fun laid-back evening with family and friends with spectacular views of the mountains. 

Shopping

The Main Street of downtown Franschhoek is brimming with high-end fashion clothing stores, jewelry, antique and interior shops, specialty food stores, and independent boutiques. There are also outdoor cafes, colorful galleries, charming tasting rooms, and delectable restaurants within easy walking distance in the heart of downtown. The Franschhoek Village Market is held once a week on Saturdays from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm in the heart of town on Huguenot Road. Visitors can find a number of products from local farmers including homemade preserves, exquisite dishes from local chefs, freshly baked bread and pastries, fine art and jewelry, unique souvenirs, clothing, and more. The market is a vibrant social event with a great vibe and a good place to meet locals.

Wine Route

Go Wine tasting in Franschhoek! The famous valley is decorated with vines from many wine estates where wine lovers can relax and taste a variety of wines exquisite wines in these majestic surroundings. The verdant valley has a deep vigneron tradition that dates back to the 16th century, it is home to some of the oldest and most famous wine estates in South Africa. Wine tasting is among Franschhoek’s most popular activities with century-old wine estates for the ultimate wine tasting experience. Franschhoek is home to 50 wine farms to choose from here is a list of a few favorites. 

The Wine Tram is one of the best ways to explore the many wineries, vineyards, and cellar doors in the Franschhoek Valley. It was originally built in 1904 and was restored in 2012 to use as a mode of transport for tourists to get around the vineyards. There is a range of lines that are color-coded to choose from depending on the vineyard you want to visit, the ticket can be used as a hop-on, hop-off experience. 

Dieu Donnewhich means “A Gift from God’ or “God Given” is one of the favorite wine estates in Franschhoek Valley that offers visitors some pretty spectacular breathtaking views from their tasting room. The staff here is friendly and knowledgeable about the award-winning wines, their Wooded Chardonnay is delicious and popular and can be tasted and bought on-site. The Roca restaurant is on site and Dieu Donne can be reached via the pink and grey tram line. 

Chamonix is a wine estate famous for its Pinot Noir which is not a very common wine in the country. The tasting area is nice and they have a great variety of white and red wines to try. They also offer some luxurious cottages set in the heart of the vineyard offering stunning views of the Franschhoek Valley where visitors can stay. It is on the pink and grey tram lines. 

Haute Cabriere, home to Pierre Jourdan, this winery and vineyard is one of the most beautiful and picturesque in the valley. The property was founded in 1694 and is one of the oldest in the country. The wine cellar is housed in a stone cellar that extends into the mountainside, it is one of the largest underground cellars in the region. Wine lovers can enjoy a glass of their iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the terrace while taking in the views. There are tours offered of the property that tap into the cap classique and the farm’s history with a crash course in the art of sabrage. There is a restaurant and a bakery on site. 

Boschendal is the second oldest winery in South Africa, this place is another popular stop on the wine tram and is great for wine tasting, small bites, and learning about its 330 years of wine history in the Western Cape. 

Dining and Nightlife

Franschhoek is not only a wine lover's dream but also a destination for foodies with some of the top restaurants in the entire country nestled within its borders. It is considered by some the “food and wine capital” of South Africa and hosted one of the top 50 restaurants in the world “The Tasting Room” according to the “S.Pellegrino world’s 50 best restaurants”. The town is home to a number of notable restaurants that line the Main Street downtown. The eateries boast a cosmopolitan mixture of trendy outdoor street cafes and bistros to upscale world-class restaurants and bars.

There are plenty of delicious restaurant choices in and around the village that cater to family fare as well as fine dining. The wine farms, wineries, and vineyards in Franschhoek offer great food at their onsite restaurants with spectacular views. The typical cuisine served in Franschhoek includes French, Asian, and International cuisine and many South African influences with plenty of vegan opportunities and many farm-to-table restaurants using the freshest ingredients from the region.

Franschhoek is not particularly known for its nightlife scene, the quaint wine town offers visitors plenty of fine dining establishments where dinner and drinks are served. There are some wonderful wine-tasting rooms and cocktail bars dotted around Main Street downtown where visitors can spend some time in the evening. Many hotel bars are a great place to enjoy evening drinks and sometimes live entertainment in a charming, relaxed atmosphere.