Franschhoek
A valley wine town founded by descendants of French Huguenots, billed as South Africa's food capital, where a hop-on hop-off wine tram takes you around the wineries.
Franschhoek lies about 75 km from Cape Town. French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution settled here in 1688. The main street retains white-gabled old houses, galleries and French restaurants, and at the town entrance are a Huguenot memorial and museum. The most popular activity is the Franschhoek Wine Tram. Vintage trams and open-top buses run along routes marked by different colours, linking 8–10 wineries, and you can hop on and off at will. The full day costs about ZAR 350–450, with tastings extra, and peak-season trips should be booked ahead. Popular wineries include Babylonstoren (nearby, with an orchard garden), La Motte, Boschendal and Leopard's Leap. The drive takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, and many visitors combine it with Stellenbosch and stay a night.
Opening hours
Town open all day; wineries approx. 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Huguenot Monument & Memorial Museum
- Franschhoek Pass
- La Motte Wine Estate
- Drakenstein Correctional Centre
- Boschendal
- Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
- Delaire Graff Estate
- Babylonstoren