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About Franschhoek  100 kms from Cape Town within the Western Cape lies the village of Franschhoek - in the heart of a valley surrounded by luxuriant mountains and vineyards. Once inhabited by only elephants, in 1694 it became the settling place of the French Huguenots, who renamed it from Oliphantshoek (Elephants' Corner) to Franschhoek (French Corner) and brought their fine cuisine and top quality vines to the area. Franschhoek and its surrounding open lands are now home to around 40 famous and some (as yet) lesser-known wine farms growing noble cultivars and classic styles including crisp white Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, rich and fruity reds including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, and Shiraz, along with some stunning rosé wines, blanc de noirs and exceptional sparkling wines - in fact every taste and budget is catered for.  Franschhoek has something for everyone including: ... for Foodies Franschhoek is deservedly known as the Gourmet Capital of the Cape, being the home of many of South Africa’s finest and award-winning restaurants including Le Quartier Francais, Haute Cabriere, La Petite Ferme, Monneaux, and Ruebens, as well as small brasseries, speciality cheese and wine shops, boulangeries, coffee shops and chocolatiers. The village also hosts excellent food, wine and arts festivals during the year including: Franschhoek Cap Classique Champagne Festival – December South Africa Cheese Festival - April Franschhoek Literary Festival – May Bastille Festival – July Franschhoek Classical Music Festival – October
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... for Arts, Crafts and Fashion Lovers The village has a lovely selection of arts & crafts and antique shops, galleries and boutique fashion stores, where you can browse at leisure. A number of artists and sculptors live and work in the area, offering you the opportunity to purchase unique pieces or even commission to order.
... for Health and Fitness Fans  | Take a leisurely walk through acres of vineyard and farm land Go on a hike in the Franschhoek or Drakenstein mountains Hire bicycles to explore the area Play a round of golf at one of the nearby signature courses Book a spa treatment at one of the many spa centres
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... for Travellers Franschhoek provides a convenient base to explore the rest of the Western Cape region. For those who want to go further afield and experience even more beauty, you can: Visit one of the SA National Parks Explore the animal and bird sanctuaries Go on Safari Or if you want to see some of the most breathtaking coastline in the world, take a trip along the Garden Route and visit Tsitsikamma National Park, and if you book in advance, you can spend the night in a beach hut on the ocean shoreline.
... for Everyone else! Drive to Stellenbosch (35 mins), South Africa's oldest university town, with its quaint Dutch style buildings, cafés and street markets Visit nearby Paarl (20 mins) for shopping, restaurants, the cinema and day to day items Take a seat in a street café or at a table in one of the vineyards overlooking the village, and soak up the atmosphere and the glorious African sun!
 Tsitsikamma National Park coastline
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