They call her 'Little France' because the landscape is reminiscent of Provence.
Infinite extensions of Vineyards that extend as far as the eye can see and climb the hills. Small towns with white stripped wooden buildings.
However, we are in South Africa, in the area of franschhoek, which in Afrikaans means "the French corner", not far from the more famous Stellenbosch, where some of the most famous South African wines come from. In short, right in the Cape Winelands district.
Franschhoek is not far from Cape Town (about 60 km) and can be reached by the scenic route. Wine Route.
The first Europeans to arrive in these areas were French Huguenot refugees from the Netherlands in 1688, who fled their countries of origin after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by King Louis XIV.
The settlers built their farms here and contributed to the development of grape cultivation, giving the different areas the names of their places of origin. There is La Motte, La Bourgogne, Chamonix and even Grande Provence. A memorial erected in the 50s remembers the presence of the Huguenots, but the landscape has changed little after so many centuries.
So much so that today Franschhoek is a renowned tourist destination, which attracts visitors for its charming landscape and natural environment (in summer – our winter – the meadows are transformed into immense lavender fields), through traditional villages that are home to art galleries, craft shops, wine bars, restaurants and luxury hotels (among the most luxurious, Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa) in whose spas you can delight in the vinotherapy. And also for the outdoor activities that can be done.
One of the best ways to discover the essence of the Franschhoek Valley is to climb the wine tram and take a tour going up and down at different stops (hop on hop off). It is a double-decker panoramic tram that runs on rails that cross the rows.
Lovers of walking or cycling can follow the Bike paths They start from the main population centers, cross vineyards and ascend to the tops of the mountains that surround the area, such as the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, which ranges between 1.400 and 1.500 meters. Along the route you will come across several wineries where you can make a pleasant stop.
The largest town is Franschhoek, where it is worth a stop. There is no shortage of bakeries, cafes and bistros, chocolate shops, cheese shops and florists here: it really feels like being in France.
But many tourists also come to these parts to see Drakenstein Correctional Services (also known as Pollsmoor Prison), the prison where Nelson Mandela was detained and from which he emerged a free man, after 27 years of confinement in various correctional institutions. from South Africa. . It is one of the essential stops for those who want to follow in Mandela's footsteps. At the entrance to the prison a large statue of "Madiba" (as Mandela is called in the country) welcomes visitors. The tour and visit of prison-house Mandela is led by Uncle Blackie, who was Mandela's guardian and friend. It is accessible to small groups of six people at a time and must be booked on TripAdvisor Experiences (according to the well-known site it is one of the 10 best experiences to do in all of South Africa).
