Franschhoek is a village in a valley ringed by mountains, and it calls itself the Cape's gourmet capital. French Huguenot refugees settled here more than 300 years ago and brought winemaking with them. The name means "French corner", and you'll still see French family names on the wine estates and street signs.
Nearly everything is on one main street, so it's easy to explore on foot. You'll pass restaurants, galleries, chocolatiers and tasting rooms, and at the top end you'll find the Huguenot Memorial and its museum, which remember the settlers who fled religious persecution in France.
A day here fills up quickly. Boschendal and Rickety Bridge both offer tastings, and the hop-on hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram lets you visit several estates without driving. Art lovers can head to the museum at La Motte, which shows work by JH Pierneef alongside contemporary pieces.
It's a longer drive than Stellenbosch, so set off in the morning. In summer, book restaurants well ahead, because tables go fast.
Getting there from Green Gables
Drive north to Stellenbosch, over the Helshoogte Pass on the R310, and then join the R45 into the Franschhoek valley. It takes about an hour from Strand, and the pass is one of the most scenic parts of the trip.
The Huguenot Memorial and Museum
The Huguenot Monument, at the top of the main road on Lambrechts Street, was completed in 1945 and inaugurated on 17 April 1948. Its arches and the figure of a woman holding a Bible and a broken chain stand for the Huguenots' faith and their freedom from religious persecution. The gardens around it are peaceful and well kept.
Next door, the Huguenot Memorial Museum tells the story of the Huguenots before and after they arrived at the Cape, along with the stories of other people who came to the valley. It is open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00. From October to April it is also open on Sundays, but it closes on Sundays between May and September.
Riding the Wine Tram
The Franschhoek Wine Tram is the easiest way to taste at several estates without anyone having to drive. It's a hop-on hop-off service on five colour-coded lines, each looping through a different part of the valley on a mix of double-decker tram and open-sided bus. Together the lines reach about 30 wine estates.
Most lines leave from the Franschhoek Terminal on the corner of Main Road and Cabriere Street, where you can park. The Orange and Green lines, which stop at estates like Boschendal, Plaisir and Babylonstoren, can also be joined at the Groot Drakenstein Terminal where the R45 meets the R310. Departures run between about 08:45 and 13:00, and with an early start you can comfortably visit three or four estates.
Tickets are booked online, and tasting fees are paid separately at each estate, typically between R60 and R260 per person. Book lunch at least a day ahead, because some estate restaurants close on certain days. There's no eating or drinking on the tram itself, and if you buy wine along the way, the staff will keep it safe until the end of your trip. Tram prices are due to rise from 1 November 2026, so check the current rates when you book.
Tips for your visit
Weekends and the summer months are busiest. Book lunch and any tastings ahead, especially at the better-known restaurants.
The tram and bus are open-sided, so pack sunscreen and a hat, and a jacket on cooler days. Eat a proper breakfast before a day of tastings, and drink plenty of water.
In mid-July, Franschhoek celebrates Bastille Day with a weekend festival of food, wine and French flair. In 2026 it was held on 11 and 12 July. It's great fun but very busy, so book well ahead if your stay falls over that weekend.
Make a day of it
Babylonstoren is on the R45 on the way in, so you can start in its garden and continue to Franschhoek for lunch. On the way home, stop in Stellenbosch for an early dinner.
