"Franschoek, the wine valley 'par... " a Franschhoek Travel Page by myriam_c

The Franschhoek wine valley, located in the heart of the Cape Wineland, is surrounded by majestic mountains.

Franschhoek is a lovely small town of which the main streets are lined with coffee shops, restaurants, art & antique shops and galleries. It is called "the gourmet capital of South Africa".

300 years ago, the French Huguenots who had fled their homeland France for religious reasons (see tip), arrived in the Western Cape. They were given land by the Dutch government and started to cultivate grapes. They also brought with them their food culture.

The Huguenot monument is a still and proud witness and the nearby museum chronicles the history of these French pioneers.

Many of the wine estate still bear their original French names.
A few examples: Dieu Donne, Plaisir de Merle, Provence, La Motte, ...