Franschhoek accommodation attracts visitors from far and wide. A visit to South Africa’s Western Province simply wouldn’t be complete without an excursion to this verdant valley and its myriad wine cellars and boutique wineries. Wine tastings and cellar tours can be enjoyed all year round and the town plays host to various cultural and gourmet festivals throughout the year that are simply not to be missed. If you are planning a visit, the following events and festivals might tickle your fancy:

1. Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival: Cap Classique is the name given to wines in South Africa that are made according to the Champagne style. This particular South African industry has matured over recent years and a variety of elegant vintages now grace the shelves of wineries throughout the Winelands. To celebrate this unique endeavour the good people of Franschhoek annually present the Cap Classique and Champagne Festival. The venue differs from year to year and visitors to Franchhoek hotels can be certain of one thing, ‘The Magic of the Bubbles’ will be a gourmet extravaganza of note! Snack on delicious delicacies prepared by the region’s culinary masterminds and join the locals in celebrating the achievements of local wineries and famous Champagne houses alike.

2. Franschhoek Literary Festival: If you love reading this festival is a must! Leave the mandatory dog-eared travelling paperback in your Franschhoek hotel room and set out for a literary experience bar none. The festival runs for three days, during which the town transforms itself into a bustling haven for readers, writers, book purveyors and publishers. Partake in a vibrant line-up of literary breakfasts and discussions or enjoy poetry reading and interviews with some of South Africa’s most talented (and sometimes controversial) writers. Visiting authors are selected for their extraordinary writing; their passion for promoting reading as well as their approachability and showmanship, ensuring that booklovers get the most literary bang for their buck.

3. Franschhoek Bastille Festival: Bastille Day is a public holiday in France that celebrates the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, which was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French nation. The inhabitants of Franschhoek honour their French roots each year by having their very own Bastille Festival over the weekend closest to July 14th. Hotels in Franschhoek are packed as visitors stream into the town to join in on the fun. Highlights of the festival include the French Film Festival, the Chef’s & Waiters Race, a barrel rolling competition and boules tournament. The Food & Wine Marque, of course, is enough to send any foodie into a state of satiated stupor. South Africa’s most renowned chefs and wine makers vie for the attention of visiting gourmets with lusciously presented fare that range from oysters to imported cheeses, hand crafted chocolates and salmon trout from the valley. A weekend of splendid indulgence, the Bastille Festival is not something you’ll forget any time soon.

4. Franschhoek Open Gardens & Classic Music Festival: Originally two separate events, the Open Garden and Classic Music festivals have now joined forces to offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy horticultural delights and participate in a musical extravaganza over the very same weekend. Franchhoek accommodation venues often boast lovely landscaping, but it is the town residents’ private gardens that take the cake. Now you can visit ten of these beautiful gardens as they burst into bloom for summer. Afterwards, amble down to the town centre and partake in a range of classical music events hosted by various Franschhoek eateries, the proceeds of which are donated to local charities.

5. South African Cheese Festival: Annually hosted on the Bienne Donne farm between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, the South African Cheese Festival is a large scale event that attracts visitors from far and wide. A word of advice though: if you plan to join in on the festivities make sure to book accommodation at a Franchhoek hotel well in advance, spaces go quickly! The beautiful Bienne Donne farm provides the perfect backdrop to this weekend of culinary enjoyment. Cheese lovers can stroll through the ample aisles, enjoying old favourites or plunge headlong into the adventurous new routes the dairy industry is taking. The event is the perfect day out for the whole family, with cooking demonstrations and tasting providing the entertainment. Alternatively, you can simply purchase all the ingredients you need for lunch, settle at a trestle table and watch as the crowd goes by.

Franschhoek truly is a must-visit destination for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life. So, what are you waiting for? Book your Franschhoek accommodation today and come join in on the fun!