Discover Franschhoek

The town combines Huguenot history with a museum, the Franschhoek Motor Museum, mountain bike trails and tasting experiences; it is also home to the Franschhoek Wine Tram and live music at the local market. These offer different ways to spend your time in Franschhoek: exploring historical background, vehicles, outdoor activity, culinary experiences or music. If you’re looking for a hotel in Franschhoek, it helps to consider first which of these aspects matter most to you during your stay.

Huguenot history at the monument and museum

The Huguenot Monument offers a historical and artistic point of reference for Huguenot history. Construction began in 1942; the monument was completed in 1945 and inaugurated on 17 April 1948. At its centre is a statue of a young Huguenot woman, symbolising religious freedom. The garden also has a historical significance: the roses are a reminder that the Huguenots made rose-scented water from Autumn Damask roses.

The Huguenot Monument and Huguenot Memorial Museum are located at the end of Franschhoek’s main street. The museum offers insights into the lives of French Huguenots during their time at the Cape and in the Franschhoek Valley. The two sites explore the same historical subject in different ways: the monument uses a symbol of religious freedom, while the museum focuses on the Huguenots’ way of life.

Trails and vehicles

The Franschhoek Biking & Hiking Trail Network offers a different focus. It includes mountain bike trails and singletracks around the Berg River dam in Franschhoek. If you’d like to include mountain biking in your stay, this trail network is a practical point of reference. Unlike the monument and museum, the focus here is on mountain biking. Culture and outdoor activity therefore offer distinct ways to shape your time in Franschhoek.

The Franschhoek Motor Museum displays 80 exhibits and 220 vehicles. Collection figures may change. In contrast to the Huguenot Memorial Museum, its focus is on a vehicle collection, while the other museum offers insights into the lives of French Huguenots.

Tram, tastings and music

Visitors can spend a day aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram. This makes for a distinct way to plan your time compared with focusing on museums: the tram can give the day its own rhythm.

The Franschhoek Artisan Route offers a culinary experience. Visitors can sample olives, cheese, charcuterie, artisan bread and handmade chocolate; the selection may change. Unlike the museums, this part of the offering centres on tastings. The monument’s historical association with rose water and the Artisan Route’s tastings offer culinary connections in different contexts: one as a reminder, the other as a visitor experience.

Visitors can listen to live music at the local market in Franschhoek. This adds a musical option to historical, vehicle-related and culinary interests.

For an overview of the wider region: Stellenbosch.