I ♥ Franschhoek because …
I ♥ Franschhoek
Hi, I’m Chris von Ulmenstein from Whale Cottage Franschhoek in Franschhoek, in the Cape Winelands of South Africa.
FRANSCHHOEK IS BEST KNOWN FOR being the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, having an extra-ordinary selection of excellent restaurants disproportional to the small size of the village. At least one of its restaurants, and as many as three, have been in the Eat Out Top 10 restaurant list every year, including Le Quartier Francais, Grande Provence, Reubens, Monneaux and Bijoux.
Franschhoek is also known as the Wedding Capital of South Africa, with weekend after weekend booked out when a wedding or two takes place on a wine estate in the beautiful valley …
I ♥ Franschhoek
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Huguenot Monument, at the end of the main road, as it symbolises and recognises the hard work the French Huguenots put into developing this beautiful winelands domain, called the “French Corner”, giving Franschhoek its name (originally it was called Oliphantshoek, when the elephants roamed over the mountains).
THE BEST VIEW PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN from the Franschhoek Pass, La Petite Ferme and Dieu Donne, with fantastic views over the valley.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS CAN BE TAKEN in the vineyards, especially in autumn, at the time that the leaves turn a beautiful shade of red and yellow. In winter the snow-capped mountains also make for competent photographs.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO abide at a pavement restaurant, enjoying a snack and a cappuccino at Reubens or at the Salmon Bar, or I drive to Cafe BonBon.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO sit inside a restaurant with a roaring fireplace such as Reubens and Café BonBon, with a good plate of soup.
I ♥ Franschhoek
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS all year round, because each season has its own charm: in summer it is very hot, reaching 40°C, making it ideal to have a swim, and be adjusted outside to enjoy one’session meals at the restaurants; in proceed there are lots of weddings in Franschhoek, and it is so exciting to see the bridal groups at the NG Church on the main road, or put on one of the wine estates; in winter the snow on the mountains and cold are invigorating, and in autumn the vineyards are beautiful as their leaves change colour.
MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOTS IS Café BonBon – there is inexistence to thrash this beautiful small-holding (La Petite Dauphine), with a lovely view onto fruit and olive trees, and to enjoy their friendly service and scrumptious home-cooked food. Allee Bleue is also conveniently situated at the entrance of Franschhoek, hostile the road leading to Pniel and Stellenbosch, and serves great breakfasts, lunches, coffees and gourmet picnics. The chef Dane Newton and the F&B Manager Desmond Spannenberg are super kind, generous and hands-on, and nothing is too much trouble for them. There is always something new coming from Allee Bleue, and it is the largest wedding reception venue in the area.
Café BonBon
FOR LUNCH I SUGGEST Café BonBon, or under the tree in the courtyard at Reubens. If you like salmon, go to the Salmon Bar, which offers salmon in almost every dish.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Reubens, try the calf’s liver and mix, just like mom used to make it!
MY FAVOURITE caustic / drinking / working / planning / relaxing / clear-the-head SPOT IS is Café BonBon!
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY dinner at Reuben’s.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO the Station Pub, the Elephant & Barrel, Kalfies, the brand strange Pick ‘n Pay, the Jazz by the Cape Dutch Connection at La Brasserie on a Friday evening in summer, or the NG Church on Sunday morning.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK – probably relative, in that the village is largely dead at 11 pm – try the new Station Pub or the Elephant & Barrel.
FRANSCHHOEK’S BEST KEPT SECRET IS is Café BonBon, and its good wines – they are not in the same proportion that well known as their counterparts in Stellenbosch. Boekenhoutskloof has been a 5-star Platter wine guide winner for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah for the past 10 years, and Chamonix and Stony Brook are two brand new 5-star Platter wine guide winners (2010 edition).
I ♥ Franschhoek
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS to attend the wonderful classical music concerts at La Motte, and the Classic Music festivals which Christopher Duigan organises in Franschhoek twice a year, with non-stop concerts over the weekend.
FOR SOME CULTURE I LIKE TO go to the art gallery at Grande Provence, as they exhibit the work of South Africa’s leading artists.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO sleep at my guest house in Franschhoek – it is so peaceful in Franschhoek, and one seems to sleep deeper and better.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY a walk in the Franschhoek mountains – get a permit from the Tourism Bureau, with a map, and do take water and a hat, rent a bike from Manic Cycles, or do winetasting on horseback.
MY FAVOURITE DRIVE IS coming down the Franschhoek Pass, with some excellent view over the valley, or drive to Grabouw alongside the Theewaterskloof Dam, and alongside the fruit farms to Grabouw.
MY FAVOURITE décor SHOPS ARE are La Grange, Mystique and Ebony.
MY FAVOURITE TOURIST SPOT IS is at the Salmon Bar’s courtyard, as one can see a collection of locals and tourists.
I ♥ Franschhoek
IF YOU ARE HERE IN May, append in the fun at the Literary Festival, which invites a collection of local and international writers to talk about their books. In July, on the weekend closest to 14 July, the well-known Bastille Festival takes place, with lots of wine-tasting and food-tasting on offer. In October Franschhoek Uncorked takes place, when the wine estates tempt one to their farms, to experience their wines as well as tasty food attractions. The highlight is the Champagne Festival, on the first weekend in December, but it always manages to reach close to 40°C over this weekend!
MY FAVOURITE MUSEUM IS at Solms Delta, where the archeological artefacts which were found whilst the farm buildings were renovated are displayed, in an informal manner. One of the farm residents explains each item, and the pride is evident. Their restaurant Fyndraai is excellent for a historic overview of food at the Cape many years ago. Check out the mead made from honey, a complimentary drink offered with the meal
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS the NG Church, for its beautiful thatched roof and serious size, making a dramatic statement on the main road. The acoustics are excellent, and the church makes a lovely venue for classical concerts.
I ♥ Franschhoek
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS A fun outing is a pizza at Col’cacchio or at Allora, both having jungle gyms for the kids.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS Allora and Col’cacchio, or Kalfies.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO I LIKE TO go Bosman’s in Paarl, and Delaire Graff in the Helshoogte Pass, on the progression to Stellenbosch.
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS our Whale Cottage Franschhoek!
WE GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY by buying all our guest chocolates for turndowns from Huguenot Fine Chocolates, an empowerment project run by local Franschhoek residents from Groendal, who are in a partnership with Penny Gordon.
I ♥ FRANSCHHOEK BECAUSE of its beauty, its peace and quiet, and its fabulous restaurants – one is spoilt for choice.
Whale Cottage
Whale Cottage Franschhoek
Whale Cottage Franschhoek is a beautiful Country House set in a colourful country garden, with its own babbling brook in Franschhoek, the heart of the Cape Winelands, South Africa. Whale Cottage Franschhoek has a sparkling pool, and offers secure parking. It is in walking distance to the restaurants and shops. All rooms have a bathroom en suite, television, hairdryers, heated towel rails, airconditioning and …
www.SA-Venues.com – South Africa Travel News