Franschhoek, a very France like place with various attractions in Western Cape of South Africa

Franschhoek valley is one of the beautiful places to visit in Western Cape of South Africa. It is situated in the heart of Cape Town, between the mountains. Olifants Hoek is original name of Franschhoek; it was renamed after the arrival of French Huguenots who had came in this valley to calve their elephants.

Being rich in wine and food, it is known as the heartland of food and wine of South Africa. Style of cooking food, warm hospitality, best summer wine and beautiful scenery adds a jewel in the beauty of South Africa.

It takes 45 minutes drive to reach Franschhoek from Cape Town. It is the worthy place to visit because the finest food and wine gives memorable experience of life. Franschhoek is also known for the 8 restaurants which are among the top 100 restaurants in South Africa.  This makes it the gourmet capital of South Africa.    

Visitors will have ideal shopping experience since all beautiful galleries; shops are located on the main Street of Franschhoek, providing good clothes, ornaments, artwork and many more unique articles.

Beautiful places are meant to relax and sit on warm evening as well as hot afternoon. These places are restaurants and coffee shops and Franschhoek has them all.

In Franschhoek, many guided tours are available for everyone, from kids to elders. Carriage rides around the town or in any particular are also available. Wine farmers in Franschhoek offer guided tour to their wine cellars and also make it sure that the visitors get taste of the fabulous wines

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In Franschhoek, among the twenty- one wine farms, some are very famous like Franschhoek Vineyards and Boschendal, which produce some of the finest wines of South Africa.

There are many attractions in Franschhoek. Among them is Bastille Day, which is the French national holiday, and is celebrated every year on 14 July. On 14 July 1789, Bastille was stormed and was considered as the rising day of modern French nation and on this day only, all French were reunited by the constitutional monarchy, which lead to first state’s supreme power during French revolution.

One of the other attractions is celebration of “French Huguenot Past Day”. In the village of Franschhoek, weekend closest to this day is celebrated as French Huguenot past.  Huguenot had settled in the valley of Franschhoek in 1600 and brought many traditions with them one of it is wine making.          

One of the most waited is the festival of Bastille that offers bolus competition, gourmet delights, flying fishing competition and wine tasting, and the Bastille festival is a great time of fun, food and drink all around the state.   

During this festival, the finest wine makers of town setup stalls at the center of town and offer finest wines. Stalls of cheese and hand made chocolates and salmon trout along with Franschhoek finest wine adds stars in the enjoyment of festival of Bastille. The town’s renowned galleries, crafts shop, boutique, restaurants and food shop are also included in this festival. In this festival, you will experience melodious music and also violent noise of the market.   

The traditional boules competitions that are held during the French Heritage celebrations enhance French feel in the valley. This period of such magnificent festival is a big deal of fun in this valley.

You simply cannot afford to miss these festivities that take place in Franschhoek valley situated between the mountains, in the heart place of Town Of Good Hope, which is the capital of wines. The striking, scenery, method of food cooking, warm hospitality and unique crafts and arts had made this village an outstanding place of South Africa.