Categories > Guides and Tips
The Best Things to Do in Franschhoek, a Slice of France in South Africa
- Discover vintage automobiles at Franschhoek Motor Museum
- Create your own fragrance at Babylonstoren Scented Room
- Score fresh produce at the Franschhoek Village Market
- Indulge in wines at La Motte Wine Farm
- Pedal around the Berg River Dam
- Cast a line at La Ferme
- Sip brews at Terbodore Coffee Roasters
- Tee off at Pearl Valley Golf Course
- Hop from one vineyard to another via the Franschhoek Wine Tram
- Relive the past at Huguenot Memorial Museum
- Have a feast at Reuben's Restaurant & Bar Franschhoek
- Gallop at the Val de Vie Equestrian Club
- Play cricket at Groot Drakenstein Games Club
- Get your choco fix at Huguenot Fine Chocolates
- Scale the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve
When Louis XIV banned Protestantism in 1686, he unknowingly sparked the birth of South Africa’s ‘gourmet capital.’
You see, Hundreds of French Huguenots had to bail from France after the king’s royal decree, and by 1688, around 300 made landfall in the Cape of Good Hope. The Dutch Colony then offered them a patch of fertile land, right between mountains and vineyards.
That little slice of France is Franschhoek (French Corner in Dutch), now considered a premier destination for food, history, and vino buffs. And, unsurprisingly, we made it our business to indulge in the town’s world-class offerings!
Discover vintage automobiles at Franschhoek Motor Museum
Address: R45
Contact Details: +27 21 874 9002
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10 am to 4 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 3 pm
We’re not the kind to go super crazy over engines, but when we heard Franschhoek Motor Museum (Franschhoek Motor Museum) displays a century of car history, we had to go full petrolhead. 80 exhibits and 220 models later, we knew we had made the right call.
What’s mad is how mint the old-school rides of the museum are. We’re talking cars from 1904 (and even the 1898 Beeston motor tricycle) that still look solid, most even gleaming!
Personal faves? Well, I’m kind of into racing, so it has to be the 1972 Chevron B25/3 and the 1964 Ford Tyrell 007/1!
| Tip: Visit the website first to score codes that’ll lower booking prices (for 3 or more tickets only). |
Create your own fragrance at Babylonstoren Scented Room
From bayleyandsage
Address: Klapmuts – Simondium Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 863 3852
Anybody who’s seen snaps of Babylonstoren probably thinks the 5-hectare garden is all about that restored Cape Dutch architecture and manicured floral sections. And sure, the layout and its flora are pure magic, but the apothecary is no afterthought.
As soon as we stepped in, we were hit by the earthy fragrance of clivias and fynbos. So, naturally, we had to make our own ‘essence,’ using ingredients harvested from the garden and French-inspired methods to craft scented masks and scrubs.
| Tip: If you’re staying, consider booking 3 nights to receive an extra night for free. |
Score fresh produce at the Franschhoek Village Market
Address: 29 Huguenot St
Contact Details: +27 73 172 8080
Operating Hours: Sat – 9 am to 3 pm
If it’s a Saturday and someone is off to Franschhoek, you can bet your bottom dollar they’re headed to the Franschhoek Village Market. Farm-fresh produce lined up under oak trees? That’s a shopaholic’s haven and a nature buff’s dream.
For us, though, it’s the food that sealed the trip. The cinnamon pancakes, croissants, and veggie wraps here are too delish to be skipped, especially when washed down with an R50 orange juice or homemade ginger beer.
Lots of artisan goods to nab, too. Smoked cheese and olive oils are automatic scores, with the jams and craft beer as our ‘optional’ buys.
| Tip: You can bring dogs, but make sure they’re leashed. |
Indulge in wines at La Motte Wine Farm
From aesplore_original
Address: R45
Contact Details: +27 21 876 8000
Operating Hours: Tue to Sun – 9 am to 5 pm
Franschhoek overflows with wineries, and La Motte Wine Farm is our favourite. With a legacy that started in 1695, their wine-making mastery is tested, relished typically in bottles that use the town’s micro-climates.
A tasting tour of their cellar’s selection confirmed that, specifically, the award-winning La Motte Sauvignon Blanc. The first sip burst with notes of organic acidity, while the lime and granadilla-infused fragrance made the drink extra refreshing.
Close behind was the La Mote MCC, loaded with nutty, citrusy, and brioche flavours. It was a fine match for the local cheeses and oysters.
| Tip: They’re cashless, so don’t leave your cards at home. |
Pedal around the Berg River Dam
From kortstok
There’s no other way to put it—Berg River Dam is a jaw-dropper. Once you’re atop its highest points and staring at the southern ocean, Boland’s peaks, and the Franschhoek Valley all at once, you’d get us.
Even better, the ascent lasts for hours but doesn’t require Ironman-level endurance and legs. For instance, the 9.3-km Berg River Dam trail clocks an elevation gain of just 236 metres.
That said, it’s not your Sunday cruise. Some sections are loose and rocky, and a few stretches crank up the incline to a 14%, namely the path leading up to the mast.
| Tip: Wear appropriate clothing. It can get chilly up there, especially on winter afternoons. |
Cast a line at La Ferme
From lafermefranschhoek
Address: Franschhoek La Ferme
Contact Details: +27 63 776 4441
A 10-minute cruise from the town’s main hub took us to La Ferme, where our team’s self-proclaimed angling pros wore a grin for hours. Can’t knock them for that; the farm has four dams rife with trout, bass, and carp.
As a rookie, I spent more hours at the carp-only dam, enjoying the Hottentot-Holland mountain range while waiting for my catch with the kids. Meanwhile, the more seasoned team members launched their baits into the two fly fishing zones.
Braai facilities also came with the package, so we did a fishing-picnic type of shindig. The sweet bit is that you can bring your own fare here, which is exactly why we fished with bobotie and bunny chow in hand.
| Tip: Extend your fishing experience by crashing in their self-catering rooms. |
Sip brews at Terbodore Coffee Roasters
From terbodorecoffee
Address: 13 Fabriek St
Contact Details: +27 21 876 4716
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 8 am to 5 pm
Honestly, we couldn’t have explored Franschhoek without Terbodore Coffee Roasters brewing us some delectable, hand-crafted blends, such as Italian hazelnut and Dutch chocolate.
Their French vanilla, in particular, left a lasting impression on me. Its medium-roast ensured a well-rounded character that’s punctuated by a light caramel finish.
Got to hand it to the cafe’s atmosphere as well. The rustic countryside is on full display here.
| Tip: Score free shipping by ordering goods over R1,000. |
Tee off at Pearl Valley Golf Course
From pearl_valley
Address: Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course R301 Wemmershoek
Contact Details: +27 21 867 8000
Operating Hours: Tue to Sun – 8 am to 5 pm
Pearl Valley lives up to its ranking as the country’s 3rd-best golf course. When you had Jack Nicklaus giving his personal say on the fairways’ design, that’s no shocker.
The course we’re talking about is an 18-hole championship facility that’s tip-top no matter the season. It requires strategic play, with bunkers and water features even the big-hitters might find challenging.
For us, though, the true test is not posing every second. Glimpses of the majestic Simonsberg ranges frame the links, resulting in a stunning purple-against-green contrast.
| Tip: About to host a corporate event? Check out their conference packages. |
Hop from one vineyard to another via the Franschhoek Wine Tram
From winetram
Address: Corner of Main Road, Cabriere St
Contact Details: +27 21 300 0338
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
The Franschhoek Wine Tram is the solution to the ‘too many wineries, too little time’ dilemma. In one day, you can visit 5-plus wineries with their Hop-On Hop-Off experience.
Choices must be made, though. There are 5 tram lines, each offering a different set of wine estates that are located in various sections of the valley.
What activities to do and how long you’ll do them are your call. Unsurprisingly, most tourists often go for wine tastings and cellar or vineyard tours.
| Tip: Tickets are limited, so book in advance. |
Relive the past at Huguenot Memorial Museum
From judice_newton
Address: Lambrechts Rd, Dirkie Uys St
Contact Details: +27 63 758 1623
Operating Hours: Mon to Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
We did our homework with the intro’s history bits, and by homework, we mean a trip to the Huguenot Memorial Museum. The artefacts and stories of the 300 Huguenots who built this town are all here.
For example, the Flight exhibit allowed us to time-travel through sound effects alone. How? The audio simulated the tempestuous waters the French refugees had to cross before reaching the Cape.
Another must-see gallery is Sacred Texts. This is where we learned about the Bibles the Huguenots brought along, including Pierre Jaubert’s Bible No. 2, rumoured to have crossed borders inside a humble loaf.
| Tip: They sell books on history. Browse the shop to see their catalogue. |
Have a feast at Reuben’s Restaurant & Bar Franschhoek
From reubensrestaurant
Address: 2 Daniel Hugo St
Contact Details: +27 21 876 3772
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
- Wed to Fri – 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
- Sat to Sun – 12 pm to 2 pm, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
With the decorated Reuben Riffel as the mind and hands behind Reuben’s, missing it would’ve been a rookie mistake.
Menu-wise, creative cuisine meets global touches here. The pork belly we devoured is a primo example; it’s a sweet-savoury dish glazed with chilli-ginger caramel.
Of course, we cleansed it with wine. We were offered 10-plus choices, but we went with a light-bodied Pinot matured in Terra Del Capo.
| Tip: They offer seasonal and holiday-only menus. Follow them on Insta for the announcements. |
Gallop at the Val de Vie Equestrian Club
From valdevieestate
Address: R301 Wemmershoek Rd, Val De Vie Winelands Lifestyle Estate
Contact Details: +27 21 863 6100
To this day, our kids argue that the stop at Val De Vie’ Equestrian Club is our Franschhoek escape’s highlight. Well, their claim has merit.
The club’s lessons and instructors catered even to our worst riders, including the little ones aged 7. That means no one stood behind the fences.
What’s more, the outride trails we hit were postcard-worthy. Just imagine seeing vineyards and the Berg River on horseback.
| Tip: Make your child’s birthday extra special by booking a pony party here. |
Play cricket at Groot Drakenstein Games Club
From cricketdistrict
Address: R45, near Franschhoek, Simonduim
Contact Details: +27 78 639 8749
If you love cricket, chances are, you’ll love it more at the Groot Drakenstein Games Club. Founded in 1895, it’s home to the country’s oldest turf wicket and is hugged by valley outlooks.
Local and foreign cricket fans usually hire the venue for a day of recreational matches. A reservation includes use of their historic clubhouse and grounds, along with perks like access to braai facilities and the swimming pool.
| Tip: Email [email protected] if your group requires catering. |
Get your choco fix at Huguenot Fine Chocolates
Address: 1 Daniel Hugo St
Contact Details: +27 21 876 4096
Operating Hours:
Run by Belgian-qualified chocolatiers, Huguenot Fine Chocolates rarely disappoint chocophiles. All their creations, be it the salted caramel or vanilla truffle, are hand-crafted and gourmet-level, featuring cacao imported from Belgium.
Beyond shopping, the 30-minute programme is probably the best way to indulge in the shop’s sweet masterpieces. It opens with a rundown of chocolate-making and live demos, then wraps up with tastings.
| Tip: You’ll get a chance to experience a free Franschhoek escapade by following them on Insta. |
Scale the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve
From montrochellehiking
Address: 35X5+WQ
Operating Hours: Daily – 6 am to 6 pm
Hard to top—that’s how we’d describe the panoramas we took in at the 1,759-hectare Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. Up there, vineyard and valley scenes rolled in by the dozens, with glimmers of Table Mountain as the cherry on top.
It’s even better for well-travelled hikers, as the 13-km trail leads to more spectacular views. That said, rookies can also get in on the action; there’s an easier 2-km path dotted with fynbos and birds.
| Tips: Kiddos under 12 enter for free, as long as an adult is accompanying them. Also, don’t forget your cards; you’ll need them for securing permits. The entrance gate is cash-free. |
