Franschhoek

In 1685 after the protestant religion was outlawed in France, nearly 300 Huguenots arrived at the Cape of Good Hope. They chose the Franschhoek Valley as their new home which was then filled with roaming elephants and called Oliphantshoek. Once the French came to settle it became known as Franschhoek.

Franschhoek Wine Valley lies deep in the Cape winelands and is South Africa’s very own French corner. Here amid luscious vineyards and gracious Cape Dutch farmsteads, a picturesque village emits proud, ever present memories of 17th Century Huguenot culture. Many of the vineyards still bear original French names such as L’Ormarins, La Motte, La Province, and Haute Cabriere. Today Franschhoek is a beautiful village filled with wonderful arts, crafts, antique shops and galleries and is also home to some of the top chefs and restaurants in South Africa.