Franschhoek offers visitors a wide range of accommodation – from luxury boutique hotels to quaint bed and breakfasts and self-catering establishments. Choose to stay in one of the many establishments located within easy walking distance of the main road, or opt for a more secluded establishment – located on farms in and around the valley – offering you the ultimate winelands experience. Whatever your choice, you will be guaranteed of a blissful night’s rest.
Franschhoek may be South Africa’s Culinary Capital, but you are bound to want to explore further than our award-winning restaurants and wineries. If the options are simply too many for you to decide, contact one of our local tour operators who have distilled what’s available into itineraries for all tastes. For a wine tasting with a difference take a ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. For the more energetic there are numerous walking trails in the surrounding mountains – particularly in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. You can also hire a bicycle and explore on your own, or go wine tasting on horseback. Venture out to Val de Vie for some polo or opt for an exciting game of golf at the breathtaking and award-winning Pearl Valley golf course.
As with fine food and outstanding wines, so too fine art needs to be savoured in order to be appreciated. Regarded as SA’s premier food and wine destination, Franschhoek has added art destination to its résumé.
Sample the Valley’s finest artisanal and fresh produce on the Franschhoek Artisan Route. The Franschhoek Artisan Route affords visitors the opportunity to treat their taste buds to some of the finest olives, cheeses, charcuterie, artisanal breads, chocolates or craft beer Franschhoek has to offer.
Franschhoek also boasts many business services that you’d not expect to find in a village such as ours. Graphic designers, photographers, printers, business consultants, estate agents, architects, attorneys and many more are all to be found in our dynamic village.
Franschhoek boasts some of South Africa’s ‘Top 100’ restaurants and has become known as the country’s Culinary Capital, providing visitors with a memorable dining experience. Leading chefs create everything from cutting-edge cuisine to stylish light meals, using only the freshest local produce paired with superb local wines. Franschhoek is also a member of The Délice Network of Good Food Cities of the World. Délice is an international network of likeminded cities engaged in promoting the benefits of culinary excellence and good food. Franschhoek was granted membership to this prestigious network in October 2014, and is the only member in the Southern Hemisphere.
A short wander down the main road in Franschhoek uncovers world-class shops and boutiques for an intimate and relaxed shopping experience. There is truly something for everyone. Whether you are looking for wine, jewellery, designer clothing, artworks, a special gift, collectable books or chocolate you’ll find the best of these and much more along our main street. Many of our wine estates also have superb deli’s serving the best in terms of freshly baked breads, olive and olive oils, charcuterie and much more.
Franschhoek has been the ideal wedding setting for as long as we care to remember. Anyone who has ever been married here will tell you that the beautiful and serene Franschhoek Valley is the perfect place to start off your life long journey together. The romantic scenery adds to a wedding’s ambiance and ensures that your never to be forgotten day is just that more special. With numerous venues to choose from you’re bound to find something that is everything you ever dreamt of and more.
Franschhoek is the epitome of relaxation and is home to a host of premium quality and serene wellness centres, spa’s, health shops and beauty parlours. Restore a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit whilst being rejuvenated in our breathtaking valley.
As you make your way into Franschhoek you will notice that most of the farms still bear their original French names, some complete with a spectacular Cape Dutch homestead, towering oaks and rolling vineyards. You will find an array of cellars, ranging from quaint boutique wineries that cater for those in search of something unique, to the large cellars that offer visitors organised tours and tastings. The fertile Franschhoek Wine Valley is home to some of South Africa’s noble cultivars and classic styles. These range from superb whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc, to the full-bodied reds of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. The area also produces some of the country’s extraordinary Méthode Cap Classiques, which can all be enjoyed during a trip along the Franschhoek MCC Route.
Join Backsberg on Sunday 15 February for the rock talent that is Bed on Bricks. Bring your friends and family, laze on the lawns and relax in a beautiful vineyard setting. Enjoy a hamburger or Karoo lamb wrap, sip on chilled Backsberg wines and listen to the chilled tunes of some of SA’s best local musicians.
Bed on Bricks was born in 2003 in Cape Town and the band has appeared on stages all around South Africa, head-lining many local rock festivals and touring the country. They have released three studio albums (Humanarium 2003, If you see Kay 2005, and Royal Honey 2008) and a live acoustic album, Takeaways, in 2006. Singer Mike Hardy’s lyrics are smart, positive, informed and questioning. Whether they are rapped or sung, they remain inspired by life in urban Cape Town, while Schalk van der Merwe’s bass, Tim Rankin’s drums and Dave van der Linden’s guitar, are all played with intense passion and energy. Their ten year anniversary album was released in December 2013, with previous favourites remixed and remastered, as well as three brand new tracks.
The opening gig is performed by Purple Cry, a Cape Town based musical duo which explores genres of music ranging from alternative to progressive and acoustic rock, while using special intricate musical techniques in order to create a fuller sound during their performances.
Pre-sale tickets for the concerts are available from www.plankton.mobi for R100. Tickets are also available at the gate for R120 or R60 with a valid student card. Children under 12 years get in free when accompanied by an adult.
Admission to concert venue starts at 15h00, with the opening act starting at 16h00 and the main act at 17h00. Bring blankets, chairs and good vibes. For the full line-up of bands, directions, comments, and more information on the series, please visit www.facebook.com/backsbergconcerts.
WIN TICKETS TO SUNDAY'S SHOW: 15 FEBRUARY 2015
We have five double-tickets to giveaway to the Bed on Bricks show this Sunday 15 February. Simply comment on this post below if you would like to stand a chance of winning a set of double-tickets. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 11 February 2015.
Franschhoek Wine Valley exists to:
Develop and implement marketing plans to profile the Franschhoek Wine Valley
Arrange and advertise events that support the Franschhoek Wine Valley brand image and which encourage visitors to the Valley
Represent the business interests of our members to the Stellenbosch Municipality
Aggregate the combined buying power of our members to leverage economy of scale benefits from service providers
Coordinate free advisory services and discussion forums to support our member’s businesses
Best Tourism Event 2015 - Franschhoek Bastille Festival
Best Local Tourism Authority Information service 2013 & 2012
Tourism Levy
Certain establishments in Franschhoek may levy visitors with voluntary contributions towards the running of the FWV and to support local charities. Should visitors not wish to contribute to these causes, please indicate this to the relevant merchant.
Disclaimer
Maintenance & validity of all business operating permits, licences and registration certificates are the responsibility of the business owner. Franschhoek Wine Valley takes no responsibility for the renewal of the required legal business operating documentation.