Le Quartier Francais

Less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, the historic wine town of Franschhoek lies in the heart of the Winelands and enjoys a picturesque backdrop of towering mountains and rolling vineyards. When the Huguenots settled here in the late 17th century, they brought with them their age-old French cuisine and wine culture - a heritage which has come to define the region –and one which still continues today. Widely regarded as the food and wine capital of South Africa, Franschhoek, meaning ‘French corner’, is renowned for its bustling weekend atmosphere and boasts the largest concentration of acclaimed restaurants in the country.

Set amidst a fragrant rose and lavender garden, the Cape Provençale spirit is echoed in the tin-roofed, white-walled buildings of Le Quartier Français. This delightful French-inspired auberge boasts individually styled rooms with modern touches and fabulous views. Choose between the charming Auberge Rooms, the striking, larger and more sumptuous Grande Rooms (ideal for honeymooners), the two Petite Garden Suites which look out onto their own secret corner garden or the two exclusive Auberge Suites whch each boast their own private plunge pool and loft section for children under 12 years.

In the multi award-winning restaurant, ‘The Tasting Room’, acclaimed chef Margot Janse offers course after course of exquisite culinary delights for serious ‘fine dining’ connoisseurs (bookings essential). Guests can also enjoy casual, cafe-style dining at  ‘iCi’ - the street-side bistro which serves breakfast, lunch and casual dinners as well as anything in between from a glass of wine to a relaxed coffee! Not surprisingly, iCi is also a firm favourite with the locals.

Wine tasting sessions can be enjoyed at nearby wine cellars – and in the town, an array of art galleries, antique shops, boutiques and quaint specialist shops provide a wonderful way to spend the day. The Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant, also part of the ‘Le Quartier Français family’, serves modern country cooking (it is open every day for lunch from 12 noon - 3pm) in the grounds of a beautiful wine farm (just 10 minutes away).