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After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in France in 1685, when Protestantism was outlawed, hundreds of so-called Huguenots fled their homeland, 277 of them arriving by ship at the Cape of Good Hope. Many of them were given land by the Dutch government in a valley called Oliphantshoek (Elephant’s Corner) – so named because of the vast herds of elephants that roamed the area. Soon after they settled here, it became known as Franschhoek (French Corner).

This heritage lives on today with the Huguenot monument standing proudly at the top of the village. The museum nearby chronicles the history of those brave pioneers, with each of the original Huguenot farms having its own fascinating story to tell.

Cape Town is positioned on the 34th latitude south, which equates it more or less with Casablanca, Los Angeles or Sydney. Cape Town however has a Mediterranean climate. In summer it is pleasantly warm with the hottest days often cooled by the Cape Doctor, the famous South-Easter, which keeps the city free of pollution.

It seldom rains in summer, and only briefly when it does. The winters are cool and wet, with the temperature occasionally falling below 10 degrees C. The water temperatures in the Atlantic are low, due to the Benguela current, but east of the city the influence of the Indian Ocean is noticeable, and the beaches and seaside places on that side of the Cape Peninsula are more populated. The beaches on the west of the peninsula have the advantage of being protected from the South-Easter by Table Mountain.

The best time to visit Franschhoek is any time. The city holds excitement no matter what the season. That said, most people choose to visit during the summer months, when the longer days and the pleasant temperatures allow for more time outdoors. However, that's also the most crowded period.

 

The picturesque Huguenot Monument and the Memorial Museum form the biggest tribute to the French settlers of the region in the 17th century. There is a small fee to enter the garden area with nice flowers and a peaceful water feature.

Attraction 2: The Wine Estates

 

Natural Hazards
Watch out for natural hazards such as changeable weather conditions when hiking around Franschhoek or visiting Table Mountain.

Health
Health care in South Africa is on par with the best in the world, as long as you have medical insurance. Make sure you have sufficient cover when traveling in South Africa and you are aware of what is and isn’t covered by your policy.

Dangerous Animals
South Africa has few dangerous animals, although there are several venomous snakes, including the Cape Cobra, Puff Adder and Boom-Slang (tree snake).

Health and Safety in South Africa
Visiting South Africa may require a few more precautions with your personal safety and possessions than you would take in some other countries or at home.
Importantly, talk to other traveller’s about their experiences and advice. For your own peace of mind, it’s recommended that you invest in comprehensive travel insurance before departing.

Plastic will save you the most hassles. ATMs are abundant and accessible if you need cash, but so are the places that take major credit cards. Two or more cards are handy and a few travelers’ cheques as a backup are also not a bad idea.