• Franschhoek is better when you’re curious.
    FROM OUR FRONT DOORFranschhoek is better when you’re curious.

MORE THAN WINEAbout Franschhoek

Franschhoek may be famous for its wine and food, but spend a little time here and you’ll discover there’s much more to the valley.

Tucked between the mountains of the Cape Winelands, this historic village is surrounded by extraordinary wine farms, celebrated restaurants and some seriously beautiful scenery. But look a little closer and you’ll find family farms, local makers, galleries, markets, walking trails and people with stories worth stopping for.

And that’s the Franschhoek we’d like you to discover.

Take the Wine Tram. Make lunch last all afternoon. Wander through the village. Taste something new. Turn down a road simply because you’re curious. Talk to the person pouring the wine.

And don’t worry about seeing everything.

Franschhoek is better when you leave a little room for the unexpected.

GO OUT. GET CURIOUS.There’s more to Franschhoek than a to-do list.

Wine Tasting & Vineyard Days

There are grand estates, tiny family farms, historic cellars and winemakers who may just keep you talking long after the tasting is finished.  The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a wonderful way to explore several estates without worrying about who's driving, or choose one or two farms and take your time.  Our advice?  Taste fewer. Stay longer. Talk to the people pouring the wine.  And when you find a bottle you love, bring it home to Maison.

Food & Culinary Experiences

Franschhoek takes food rather seriously.  You'll find celebrated restaurants, relaxed farm lunches, bakeries, cafés, local producers and a Saturday market filled with things worth tasting.  Book somewhere extraordinary if that's your thing. Take a cooking or chocolate-making class. Meet a local maker. Or simply find a table beneath a tree and let lunch quietly become the afternoon.  Some days don't need a bigger plan than that.

History, Museums & Art

There are stories everywhere in Franschhoek if you know where to look.  Explore the village's Huguenot history, visit the Huguenot Monument and Museum, notice the old Cape Dutch buildings, then wander into one of the galleries showcasing South African and local artists.  But don't feel you need to turn it into a history lesson.  Sometimes curiosity is simply stopping in front of something and asking:  What's the story here?

 

Walk into Franschhoek.

One of our favourite ways to begin exploring doesn't require a car, a booking or a ticket.  Leave Maison on foot and take the roughly 1 km walk towards the village, passing the river and reservoir along the way. Slow down for the birdlife, then continue into town for coffee, galleries, shops — or whatever catches your eye.  And later?  Walk home again.

 

Franschhoek Village

Franschhoek's main street is made for wandering.  Galleries. Small shops. Local makers. Coffee. Chocolate. Something beautiful you didn't intend to buy.  Don't rush from one end to the other.  Turn down a side street. Look through the windows. Stop when something makes you curious. You don't always need an itinerary.

Hikes, Bikes & Mountain Adventures

Sometimes the best way to see the valley is to get above it.

Franschhoek and the surrounding Winelands offer beautiful hiking and mountain-biking routes, along with horse riding and other outdoor adventures.  One we've recently walked ourselves is Plaisir, where trails climb through the Simonsberg landscape with wonderful views along the way.  It's beautiful.  And yes — you'll earn your breakfast.  Plaisir also hosts seasonal Full Moon Hikes. They're a rather magical way to experience the mountain after dark, but don't underestimate them: proper footwear and a reasonable level of fitness are a very good idea.

Franschhoek Must-Visit Festivals

February

March

  • Franschhoek Wine Farm Harvests

May

June

  • Cook Franschhoek, winter edition

July

September

  • Franschhoek Uncorked Festival
  • Cultivaria Paarl / Franschhoek

October

  • Cook Franschhoek, summer edition
  • Franschhoek Open Gardens Festival

November

  • Franschhoek Open Gardens Festival
  • Franschhoek Creates

December