Franschhoek Travel Guide
Everything worth exploring in the valley, all within easy reach of theLAB

Franschhoek Travel Guide

Franschhoek is more than its vineyards. Wine trams, chocolate makers, mountain trails, and a lively Saturday market are all within easy reach of theLAB. This guide brings together a few of the valley's best experiences, from quiet nature walks to local art and cuisine, wherever you're staying, there's something nearby to fill the time between tastings.

Attractions

Heritage & Culture Huguenot Memorial Museum

Discover Franschhoek’s rich French Huguenot heritage at the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Explore the history of the early settlers and learn about the cultural influences that helped shape the Franschhoek Valley.

Wine Tours Franschhoek Wine Tram

Hop aboard a vintage-style tram and explore the valley's historic wine estates at your own pace, hopping off for tastings, cellar tours, or a stroll through the vineyards.

Chocolaterie Huguenot Fine Chocolates

A boutique chocolaterie on Franschhoek's main road, where Belgian-trained chocolatiers hand-craft chocolates from imported Belgian cacao.

Animal Sanctuary Pigcasso

Meet the world's most famous painting pig at this rescue farm sanctuary, home to a record-breaking artist whose work supports animal welfare.

Community Garden Franschhoek Medicinal Garden

A community garden in the heart of town where indigenous medicinal plants can be seen, touched, and tasted on a guided tour.

Hiking & Nature Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve

A 1,760-hectare mountain reserve above the valley, with over 30km of hiking trails and sweeping views across Franschhoek.

Saturday Market Franschhoek Village Market (Saturdays Only)

A Saturday morning market on Huguenot Road, filled with fresh produce, local crafts, and live music under the oak trees.

Tuk Tuk Tours Tuk Tuk Franschhoek

A Hop On Hop Off service for a Half Day or Full Day Tour experience through selected wine farms in the Franschhoek Valley. Come and enjoy a fun and unique experience of the Cape Winelands.

Restaurants

Fine Dining La Petite Colombe

A fine dining restaurant at Leeu Estates, offering a multi-course tasting menu amid the vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley.

Farm to Table Chefs Warehouse Maison

A farm-to-table restaurant on Maison Winery, serving a tapas-style tasting menu built around the best local ingredients.

Tasting Menu Epice

An intimate fine dining restaurant at Le Quartier Français, offering a tasting menu inspired by flavours from around the world.

Italian Allora

A lively Italian restaurant on Huguenot Street, known for its wood-fired pizzas and home-made pasta.

Craft Brewery Hey Joe Brewery Co

A Belgian-inspired brewery just outside town, with a working brewhouse and a relaxed spot to enjoy a beer where it's made.

Wine Farm Dining Arkeste

A casual fine dining restaurant on Chamonix Wine Farm, serving seasonal, locally inspired dishes in a heritage forest setting.

How far is Franschhoek from Cape Town?

Franschhoek is about an hour's drive from Cape Town. theLAB's three Franschhoek properties, theLAB Franschhoek, theLAB Blue, and theLAB Budget, are based in the village itself, making it an easy base for exploring the valley.

What is the Franschhoek Wine Tram, and how far is it from theLAB?

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a hop-on hop-off tour of the valley's wine estates on a vintage-style tram, with five colour-coded routes. The tram terminal is an estimated 22-minute walk (or 6-minute drive) from theLAB Blue, and a similar distance from theLAB Budget.

When is the Franschhoek Village Market open?

The Franschhoek Village Market trades every Saturday on Huguenot Road, from 9am to 3pm in summer and 10am to 3pm in winter, a short walk from theLAB Blue and theLAB Budget in the village centre.

Is Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve open every day?

Yes, Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve is open every day of the year, from sunrise to sunset, with over 30km of hiking trails across its 1,760-hectare reserve above the valley.

Who is Pigcasso?

Pigcasso is a rescue pig turned painting artist, based at Farm Sanctuary SA near Franschhoek, whose artwork has sold for record-breaking prices in support of animal welfare.

Can I do a chocolate tasting in Franschhoek?

Yes, Huguenot Fine Chocolates on Franschhoek's main road offers a pre-bookable Chocolate Experience, including tastings and a look at their chocolate-making process.

Is Franschhoek walkable, or do I need a car?

The village centre is walkable, theLAB Blue and theLAB Budget are both within a 15-minute walk of the main street, but a car is useful for reaching wine estates further out, like Mont Rochelle or Chamonix Wine Farm.

What is Franschhoek known for?

Franschhoek's winemaking history dates back around 300 years, introduced by French Huguenot settlers, and the valley is now considered one of the Cape's top food and wine destinations.

Is booking ahead necessary for Franschhoek's top restaurants?

Yes, many of Franschhoek's top restaurants, including La Petite Colombe, Epice, and Arkeste, require advance booking, especially during peak season.

What is the climate like in Franschhoek?

Franschhoek has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers (November to March) and cooler, wetter winters (June to August), typical of South Africa's Cape Winelands.