There’s a beautiful, languid ease to strolling through Franschhoek. You can easily spend the day on foot, sauntering down Huguenot Street, moving between galleries, restaurants and craft shops - with dedicated stops along the way, including the Huguenot Fine Chocalate at one end down to the striking Huguenot Monument at the other, which pays homage to the French settlers who shaped the Cape’s food and wine heritage in the late 17th century.
It may be a small Winelands town, but you’ll struggle to find anywhere in South Africa with more award-winning restaurants, wine estates and curated experiences per square kilometre.
Set against the vineyard-lined slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains and Groot Drakenstein Mountains, just over an hour from Cape Town, the valley offers a seamless blend of heritage, design, artistic creativity and serious food culture.
That accessibility is part of the appeal. Whether you’re a local or visiting the Mother City for the first time, Franschhoek makes for an easy, indulgent mini-break.
Throughout the year, the town buzzes with food and wine festivals, art and book fairs - now joined by the highly anticipated debut of the Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek, set to create an even stronger global draw.
During a recent weekend escape to La Residence - part of The Royal Portfolio, which also includes The Silo Hotel - it became clear how effortlessly Franschhoek delivers the best of both worlds when it comes to a world-class tourist destination: close enough to the action, yet with space to retreat into something altogether more serene. You can read the full review here.
While La Residence sets a high benchmark for luxury in the valley, there’s no shortage of options - from boutique guesthouses and wine estate stays to well-located Franschhoek hotels in and around Huguenot Street.
Plan to make a weekend of it!
And when you do, here’s exactly how to spend your time in South Africa’s little French corner.
