Discover Franschhoek: South Africa's Premier Food and Wine Destination

Nov 06, 2025 0

Nestled between scenic vineyards and towering mountains, the picturesque village of Franschhoek is located 45 minutes from Cape Town. Learn the fascinating history of Franschhoek, one of South Africa’s top travel destinations, adored by food and wine lovers from all around the world. Franschhoek (French Corner in Afrikaans) is located in the picturesque valley at the foot of the mountains, 75 km from Cape Town. It’s one of the oldest towns in South Africa.

Talk to anyone who has visited Cape Town and they’ll get a dreamy look in their eyes when they talk about Franschhoek and their time in the South African winelands. Franschhoek is a must-visit place in Cape Town for wine and food lovers. Here you can find some of the best wine estates and the finest restaurants in the country. It is a perfect place for a day trip from Cape Town or a weekend getaway from the bustling city.

A Rich History

The area now known as the Franshoek Valley was set-up in the late 1600s by Dutch settlers as a halfway station supplying ships trading between Europe and the East. In 1687, Simon Van Der Stel and 23 other Dutch settlers arrived in the region which is now known as the Franschhoek Valley. Once the French Huguenots arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, the Dutch passed on this land to the French, who introduced their knowledge of viniculture.

In 1685, the French King, Louis XIV, banned Protestantism in France. Hundreds of people were forced to leave their country. The Dutch colony needed to develop agriculture in the Cape to supply the sailing ships with fresh produce, so they gave the French an area of land to begin growing crops. The area was a seasonal breeding ground for elephants but was well-watered and had fertile soil. Many of the French Huguenots that arrived in the Cape were highly trained as blacksmiths, carpenters, tailors and merchants.

Those from wine-producing provinces took the lead and began laying out vineyards for wine production. Many of the settlers named their new farms after areas in France, such as La Provence, La Motte, La Terra de Luc and Bourgogne. The French Huguenots were small in number, but they contributed greatly to Franschhoek’s development.

Wine has been a defining feature of Franschhoek since the late 1800s. When France outlawed Protestantism, French Huguenots fled the country. Some arrived by ship in Cape Town, settled in Franschhoek (‘French corner’ in Dutch), and began laying out the vineyards that exist today.

At Huguenot Memorial Museum in Saasveld Manor House, you can learn about the history of the French Huguenots who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century escaping prosecution from the authorities for their beliefs. The Huguenots brought to South Africa grape plants and the tradition of making wine. The Huguenot Monument is a beautiful sculpture composition located in the picturesque corner at the exit of Franschhoek.

Wineries and Wine Tasting

The Franschhoek Wine Valley is home to an array of superb wine farms, ranging from boutique wineries for intimate tastings to extensive cellars that offer group tours and tastings. The Franschhoek wine valley is one of the most popular wine-producing regions in the Cape Winelands. Franschhoek boasts over 200 wineries, so the hardest decision is choosing which ones to visit. The choices for wine tastings in Franschhoek seem endless.

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If you don’t have a car to drive around the wine farms or don’t want to limit your tasting because you have to drive, taking the wine tram is the right thing to do. There are 10 different wine routes (pink, blue, purple, yellow, navy, grey, green, red, orange, and burgundy). Each line includes 8 wine farms (the navy and burgundy lines include 9 estates). It’s a hop-on hop-off tram/bus you can get off and on at any farm you want.

Not only providing a convenient way to get from vineyard to vineyard, the hop-on, hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram also gives you a chance to soak in the mountain views while sipping on a complimentary glass of wine. Departing from Franschhoek itself, you can choose from ten different routes, each stopping at eight or nine wine estates which vary from intimate, family-run farms to long-established, sprawling estates. You can buy tickets online or at the ticket office situated on Huguenot Street, next to the River Cafe. The price is ZAR 300/US$17 per person.

Wine tasting is South Africa is fabulously affordable. between 50-75 rand (roughly $3.50-$5.00). two might bring the cost up to about $15 in total.

Recommended Wine Farms:

Dieu Donne: This is our favorite wine estate in Franschhoek and one of the favorites in South Africa. We love their wines they’re great and not expensive, the view from the tasting room is breathtaking (one of the best views in Franschhoek), and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable about wines.
La Mott Wine Farm: It’s always nice if you can combine wine tasting, and outdoor activities and learn more about local flora and fauna. La Mott Wine Farm offers this opportunity to its visitors. There is a 5km hiking trail that takes visitors through the vineyards and fields to the top of the hills with spectacular views of the Franschhoek Valley. After the hike, guests can relax on the estate, do some wine tasting, or have lunch. The wine tram doesn’t go to this farm.
Leopard’s Leap: Leopard’s Leap is quite a big setup compared to most local farms. The views from the restaurant area are stunning. We’d recommend coming here when the restaurant is open otherwise this huge place looks a bit deserted without people. They have a wide range of wines; reds, whites, and sparkling.
Boschendal: Visiting the stunning Boschendal farm is a must-do thing in Franschhoek. The estate is stunning, it’s a great place to combine wine tasting with a picnic. You don’t have to bring anything you can buy a picnic basket right here. We like their Shiraz and usually, buy it without tasting. This farm is a great place to come for a romantic lunch under the huge oak trees.
Babylonstoren: Babylonstoren is a large farm near Franschhoek where you can find pretty much anything from local wines and cheeses to freshly baked pastries and artisanal goods. The estate has spectacular fruit and vegetable gardens, a spa, a restaurant, and a farm shop.

Many wine estates offer special tastings called “pairing”. You can pair wine/bubbly with chocolate, oysters, cheese, ice cream, etc. The combinations of wine and food made the way that they complement each other. It’s a fun tasting that surprises you with new flavors and combinations.

Read also: Discover Leeu Estates

Activities and Attractions

Franschhoek has transformed itself into one of the top tourist destinations in South Africa. The small town exudes an elegant charm that is visible through the sweeping views of the vineyards, quaint cafes and boutique art galleries. A magnet for visitors, the town of Franschhoek's prime offering is wine tasting, but there are also horseback rides through the vineyards, biking trails, and a main road filled with art galleries, boutiques, and sophisticated restaurants.

Franschhoek is one of the few places in South Africa where we usually walk more than drive. The town is quite small most of the attractions can be reached on foot so park your car and stroll along the Main road, enjoy the Cape Dutch architecture, visit a couple of art galleries, and stop for a cup of coffee or lunch at one of the many restaurants. The town is pretty small it won’t take you long to cross it on foot from the entrance to the Huguenot Monument and back.

Outdoor Activities

Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve: Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve is situated just outside Franschhoek. The entrance to the reserve is located at the top of the Franschhoek Pass, there is a car parking and toilet facilities at the gate. All the trails are circular routes they start and end at the main gate (car parking) of Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve.
Cycling: Cycling in the beautiful vineyards is a fun way to explore the Franschhoek area. Winelands Meander cycling tour is a great option if you want to do a private tour. During the tour, you get to visit a couple of wine estates, try local wines, and do chocolate/biltong and wine pairing. Riding an e-bike is an easy and fun activity suitable for anybody regardless of age and fitness.
Scenic Drives: Scenic drives are a big part of traveling in South Africa. Pretty much anywhere you go you will drive over a pass with breathtaking views. The Franschhoek Pass is one of our favorite scenic drives in Cape Town. The pass is a 13km winding road over the mountains of Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve.

Exploring Franschhoek

Other Attractions

Franschhoek Motor Museum: The Franschhoek Motor Museum is a real hidden treasure in the vineyards of L’Ormarins farm. Every time driving past the sign we were curious about this place and finally decided to visit it. What a surprise! Hundreds of beautiful cars all are in perfect condition and most of them running (85% of them at least).
Huguenot Chocolate Factory: Tasting is one of the main activities in Franschhoek, alter your wine experience with some chocolate tasting. During your visit to the Huguenot Chocolate Factory, you’ll learn about the chocolate-making process and get to try some delicious local chocolates and sweets. They use the finest Belgium chocolate to make sweets.

Dining in Franschhoek

Franschhoek is widely known as South Africa’s food and wine capital, and boasts a vast selection of world-class restaurants and wine farms. Franschhoek has a refined restaurant culture with many world-renowned chefs opening up fine-dining eateries in the region. The main street is lined with bistros, top restaurants, cookery shops and trendy artisan food markets. Franschhoek is home to some of the world’s most acclaimed fine-dining restaurants.

Many of the wine farms have restaurants with great food and beautiful surroundings that will be perfect for a romantic dinner. We went to Grand Provence Estate for our wedding anniversary dinner and it was an amazing experience. Everything from the location to the food and wine was just impeccable. The garden is amazing with flowers, small fountains, and huge oak trees decorated with lights on a warm, not windy night I’d recommend sitting outside.

The Franschhoek Village Market is not just a place to buy and sell. It’s a social event with a great vibe where locals meet once a week to spend a couple of hours together with their friends and families. Delicious food & great wine are guaranteed at the end of the day Franschhoek is all about it. At the market, visitors can find products from local farmers, homemade preserves, exquisite dishes from local chefs, freshly baked bread and pastries, jewelry, art, souvenirs, clothes, and more. The market takes place once a week on Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm in the center of the town on 29 Huguenot Road.

Accommodation

Franschhoek has an excellent range of accommodation in and around the valley. The town is pretty small it won’t take you long to cross it on foot from the entrance to the Huguenot Monument and back. There are many guesthouses in the town itself but I recommend staying outside Franschhoek at one of the wine estates it’s an incredible experience. Even if it’s a bit more expensive it’s worth it.

Recommended Hotels:

Mont Rochelle: Mont Rochelle is Sir Richard Branson’s premier Cape Winelands estate. This luxury hotel boasts incredible views of the flourishing vineyard and offers guests exclusive access to private activities, such as picnics on the estate and bike rides through the neighborhood.
La Residence: Located on a private estate in the valley, La Residence is a chateau-style hotel that is surrounded by lush vineyards, plum orchards and towering mountains. Each suite is individually designed with elegant antiques and stylish furnishings.
Le Quartier Français: Le Quartier Français forms part of the Leeu Collection and is home to the award-winning fine-dining restaurant, La Petite Colombe.

Events and Festivals

Franschhoek’s calendar is brimming with culture, cuisine, and surprises year-round. The town holds several festivals and events that commemorate and celebrate the history and culture of Franschhoek. Guests can visit a number of workshops and exhibitions that highlight the charming qualities of Franschhoek.

Bastille Festival: Each year during July, the Bastille Festival commemorates the town’s Huguenot heritage by celebrating all things, French. For two days, locals and visitors flock to the valley to feast on gourmet food, award-winning wine and fun activities.
Franschhoek Literary Festival: Each year in May, readers, writers and publishers come from far and wide to experience this three-day literary celebration. The Franschhoek Literary Festival provides book lovers with the opportunity to discover what is happening in the local and international literary scene, as well as a place to interact with other writers.
Cap Classique and Champagne Festival: This annual December event is one of South Africa’s social highlights. Oozing elegance and sophistication, the Cap Classique and Champagne Festival is a celebration of fashion, food and wine. Guests can mingle and sample a wide range of award-winning wines, local MCCs as well as a selection of French champagnes.
Festival of Art: Franschhoek calls on artists and art enthusiasts to experience the Festival of Art, an annual fine art festival that takes place in October. Franschhoek has established itself as one of South Africa’s premier art destinations with its numerous art exhibitions and galleries.