When the renowned Cape governor Simon van der Stel generously handed out grants for land in the 17th century, he chose to keep most of the Huguenots together. And so in a beautiful valley beneath the towering Great Drakenstein Mountains, the French settlers began a new life in Africa, many of them turning this wild terrain into arable land for viniculture. The land eventually became known as 'Franschhoek', Dutch for 'French Corner'.

The tranquil and spectacular beauty of this valley has beckoned travellers for many years. Today, those that draw the growing number of tourists to Franschhoek, have ensured that their establishments reflect the style, class and beauty of his place.

And such is the passion of the restaurants, that Franschhoek has become known as the 'gourmet capital' of South Africa.