Franschhoek
 Table Cloth on
Franschhoek Mountain
Nestled deep in the mountains, Franschhoek is the ideal base for hiking and exploring/touring in the Western Cape. Franschhoek village is conveniently located some 45 miles from Cape Town (50 minutes from the International Airport) and halfway between the old university town of Stellenbosch and the industrial centre of Paarl.
The village, known locally as the Gourmet Capital of the Cape, is ringed by rugged mountains and surrounded by vineyards. Though still essentially a working town, based on the local wine industry, it is also a tourist centre, featuring many fine houses built in Cape Dutch Style.
Franschhoek (Afrikaans “French Corner”) is a small community, some 13,000 strong, many of whom are dispersed throughout the Valley. The centre of the old town consists of a number of colonial style buildings and includes many of the Cape’s finest restaurants, which line the main street alongside various galleries and fine shops.
 River by Franschhoek
First settled by Huguenots escaping persecution in the Low Countries, the town is over 400 years old. It retains its strongly French flavour to this day, though use of the language died out centuries ago. Many of South Africa’s leading vineyards are located in the Valley; names like Boschendal, Rickety Bridge and Chamonix are known the world over as producers of the finest wines. Most of the vineyards offer wine tasting and many also have their own excellent restaurants. For the European visitor, eating and drinking in some of the most wonderful environments imaginable can be remarkably inexpensive.
Franschhoek is a year round destination with the Spring and Autumn months being particularly attractive.
Simonsberg |
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Mountain view from Franschhoek |
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Berg River Dam |
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Local Vineyard |
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Guest Farm |
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Vines on Mountainside |
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