101 things to do
101 things to do
  1. Take a stroll up old ‘Cat se Pad’ walking trail.
  2. Take a bottle of wine up to the top of the Franschhoek Pass and watch the sun go down.
  3. Catch and release – go fly-fishing. Lessons available.
  4. Go wine tasting on horseback.
  5. Take a swim in the rock pools over the pass.
  6. End, or start, the Boland Hiking Trail at Jan Joubert se gat.
  7. Take a stroll with Professor Rust and learn about the heritage and the flora of the valley.
  8. Play boules at one of the courts in the village.
  9. Play golf at Pearl Valley, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.
  10. Drop off the top of the pass and paraglide down to the village.
  11. Go horse-riding – even if you have never been before!
  12. Have a game of tennis on the Franschhoek courts.
  13. Dine alfresco at one of the many street cafés.
  14. Take a helicopter ride and see the valley from a different perspective.
  15. Take a tour round the new Berg River Dam (by appointment only).
  16. Hire a mountain bike and go cycling in the mountains surrounding the valley.
  17. Play Bowls on the Bowling green.
  18. Hike to the top of Du Toit’s Kop.
  19. Picnic at Boschendal, Dieu Donné, or alongside the river at Solms Delta.
  20. Feed the ducks on the dam in Van Riebeck Street.
  21. Go for a run through the vineyards.
  22. Pick up a permit and map at the Information Centre and explore the Mont Rochelle Reserve.
  23. Visit the historical Groot Drakenstein Games Club and watch (or participate in) a game of friendly cricket on the first turf wicket laid in South Africa. *
  24. Walk through the orchards and vineyards behind Mont Rochelle Winery, past two dams, to reach the beacon, giving you a fantastic view of the valley.
  25. Visit Bien Donné with its lavender fields, herb garden, manor house and deli. *

Music & Life

  1. Listen to live jazz on Friday evenings at Vineyard Brasserie.*
  2. Have a fun night at the Elephant & Barrel pub with live music every Wednesday.
  3. Attend the monthly classical concert in the historical cellar at La Motte. *
  4. See 'stars' at the Bridge House theatre.
  5. The Screening Room - anything from old-time classics to the latest movie.
  6. Request your favourite song played by Alfio over dinner at the Mont Rochelle Vineyard Hotel.

Food & Indulgence

  1. Watch the chocolatiers making their confections at Huguenot Fine Chocolates. Tours can also be arranged.
  2. Eat your heart out – 20% of the country’s five star chefs are in Franschhoek.
  3. Tea for two? – Try the freshly baked scones and cream at Café Antoinette.
  4. Learn how to make bread in winter at Bread and Wine, on Môreson Estate. *
  5. Tuna sashimi to die for at Bouillabaisse.
  6. Freshly made Sticky buns from Le Quartier Francais.
  7. Sample a local cheese tasting at La Fromagerie.
  8. Enjoy a French Cheese Tasting at Fromages de France.
  9. Dine under the full moon at Boschendal. *
  10. Discerning coffee lovers should try Reuben’s deli.
  11. Try freshly-baked pain au chocolat at The Salmon Bar in The Yard.
  12. Go for a dietary consultation with our resident dietician afterwards - to lose weight!
  13. Charcuterie at it’s best - savour Neil’s home-cured hams and meats at Bread & Wine.
  14. At least once, have Franschhoek’s smoked salmon-trout for breakfast.

Wine & Savour

  1. Bubble along the Cap Classique Route.
  2. Have a glass...or two, of wine from more than 40 extraordinary wine cellars.
  3. Jump in a vat of grapes at the annual ‘Blessing of the Harvest’ at Môreson Estate. *
  4. Try the locally made Grappa and Schnapps at Chamonix.
  5. Descend into the depths of La Cotte Wine Sales—one of the greatest wine shops in the country.
  6. Arrange to have some wine shipped home.
  7. See Achim von Arnim sabrage at Cabriérè estate.
  8. Go on a tour of one of the many vineyards.
  9. Paint the town red (white & blue)...
  10. Enjoy a taste of the La Motte harvest. Sample the grapes, the fermenting juice and the finished product, the wine... only during harvest time.
  11. Sample locally made Franschhoek beers at Dieu Donné.

Heritage

  1. Walk ‘the long walk to freedom’, at Groot Drakenstein prison, from where Nelson Mandela was released.
  2. Visit Museum van de Caab on Solms Delta Estate.
  3. Visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum to find out more about Franschhoek’s heritage.
  4. Amble around the Boschendal manor house built in 1685.
  5. Stroll into Franschhoek's past with the village heritage walk.
  6. Take a tour of Mooiwater Township.
  7. Follow the Winelands' Antique Route.
  8. Visit Pniel, the town and monument of the first free slaves.
  9. If you're a Huguenot descendant, trace your family tree.
  10. Don’t miss the thatched Dutch Reformed Church built in 1847.
  11. Contribute to the Franschhoek Children’s Charity Project at the Information Centre.

Shop

  1. Stroll amongst an array of art shops, galleries and specialist stores that grace the village centre.
  2. Buy an indigenous plant at Pink Geranium nursery and support a greener life.
  3. Buy him a cigar at La Cotte Inn.
  4. Buy her a ‘Naked Chefs of Franschhoek’ calendar.
  5. See the largest collection of corkscrews in Africa at The Old Corkscrew.
  6. Discover the treasures tucked away in our antique shops.
  7. Visit Penchant and buy some of their unique handmade jewellery, made from natural crystals and semi-precious stones.
  8. Step out in style; quality hand-crafted leather footwear and accessories from Tsonga.
  9. Stop by Kazkazi for locally beaded luxury goods.

Amour

  1. Get married in Franschhoek!
  2. Propose to your lover on the lawn at La Petite Ferme.
  3. Shop for diamonds at Tracey’s.
  4. Order a beautiful floral bouquet for your lover.
  5. Celebrate your anniversary with a weekend away.
  6. Take a long, lingering kiss under the Huguenot Monument.
  7. Renew your vows in the chapel overlooking the lily-filled lake.

Indulge

  1. Have a massage.
  2. Champagne and oysters for lunch at Bouillabaisse.
  3. Enjoy the pink hue of the setting sun whilst sipping cocktails on the veranda of Mont Rochelle Vineyard Hotel.

Craft

  1. Visit the monthly street market. *
  2. Watch master potter David Walters and daughter Sarah throw their clay.
  3. Visit Live Wire Art stall and select one of Prince’s wire creations
  4. Make your own Shona sculpture at the Munhutapa Gallery at Boschendal. *
  5. Take the ‘Franschhoek Meander’ and meet our innovative artists and craftspeople.
  6. Browse in the Franschhoek Live Craft Centre and see the resident potter and other crafters in action.

Invest

  1. Invest in a piece of heaven…
  2. In our children, by contributing to the Youth Empowerment Action at the Information Centre.

Religion

  1. Attend Church services on Sundays at one of five different churches.

Memories

  1. Take photos showing the different moods of the valley and mountains.
  2. Purchase the Franschhoek book for your coffee table.

Other

  1. Join the Winelands Branch of the Botanical Society on their next outing.
  2. Host your next product launch or corporate meeting at one of the many venues tailor-made for the occasion.
  3. Book your next visit!

…and 101 is…stay forever!!

* Seasonal