Franschhoek “South Africa’s French Valley” bills itself as South Africa’s Food and Wine Capital - and its a claim that’s easily demonstrated.
One of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world, Franshchoek is located just 45 minutes from Cape Town and within half an hour from Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Somerset West wine routs.
The food culture has drawn some of South Africa's truly great chefs - to the extent that eight of Franschhoek's restaurants feature in the country's - Top 100's. Here you can expect anything from light meals to world-class cuisine, with the chefs utilising the superb fresh produce from the surrounding valley. Choose between a huge variety of restaurant options, each presenting its own ambience and style. Franschhoek valley launched a Cap Classique route that includes nine cellars, within a distance of 4km, in a combined marketing initiative. The sparkling wine tour includes teaching visitors about the methods of making Cap Classique in a unique attempt to add value to wine consumption.
The name Franschhoek (‘French Corner’ ) was given by the French Huguenots who settled here in 1688 after leaving France to escape persecution. Many of the wine farms still bear their original French names and most of these farms have beautiful examples of Cape Dutch architecture. The village has a wonderful collection of art and antique shops and galleries and the main streets are lined with restaurants and coffee shops. It is easy to spend a day here and it serves as an excellent springboard to other wine routes and the Four Passes Fruit Route, of which Franschhoek is also part; and there are a number of walking trails in the surrounding mountains, for the more energetic.
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Franschhoek Climate
Overall, Franschhoek has a mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers days and cold wet winters.
The average summer (October to February) temperature is 25.3°C. To many March to April signal idyllic weather, summers heat subsides and the wind settles. Winter’s (May to July) temperatures range from 5.2°C lows at night and a comfortable 14.6°C by day. However, with the onset of spring (from August to October), the fast-retreating winter merges with the summer sun, bringing forth some of the worlds most spectacular wild flower displays.