Welcome to Engel & Völkers Franschhoek

The valley was originally settled in 1688 by French Huguenot refugees, many of whom were given land by the Dutch government in a valley called Olifantshoek ("Elephants' corner"), so named because of the vast herds of elephants that roamed the area.

The name of the area soon changed to Franschhoek, with many of the settlers naming their new farms after the areas in France from which they came. La Motte, La Cotte, Cabrière, Provence, Chamonix, Dieu Donné and La Dauphine were among some of the first established farms - most of which still retain their original farm houses today. These farms have grown into renowned wineries.

At first glance, this hamlet beneath the Hottentots Holland Mountains looks like a South African village with a bad French accent. Once a sleepy country retreat, the village began experiencing a boom since the 1990s, and property prices have sharply increased. The ideal summer weather, snowy peaks in winter and proximity to Cape Town have turned Franschhoek into one of South Africa's most sought after residential addresses.

Franschhoek proudly lays claim to some of South Africa's top restaurants. This fact, together with the strong wine culture, and pristine natural and architectural beauty has made Franschhoek into what many describe as the "food and wine capital" of South Africa. It celebrates its Huguenot heritage each winter at the Annual Bastille festival on 14th July.

The Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek is dedicated to the cultural influences that French Huguenots have brought to the Cape Colony after their immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries.

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Quick links to E&V Shops around South Africa

Eastern Cape : East London | Port Elizabeth |
Free State : Bloemfontein | Clarens |
Gauteng : Bryanston | Broadacres | Westrand | Centurion | Faerie Glen | Jacaranda | Silverlakes | Waterkloof |
KwaZulu-Natal : Ballito | KZN South Coast | Umhlanga |
Limpopo : Hoedspruit |
Mpumalanga : Dullstroom | Lydenburg | Nelspruit | Hartbeespoortdam | Meerhof | Potchefstroom (Mall) | Potchefstroom |
Western Cape : Camps Bay | Fish Hoek | Franschhoek | George | Kalk Bay | Noordhoek | Paarl | Plettenberg Bay | Seapoint | Simons Town | Somerset West | Southern Suburbs | Stellenbosch | Western Seaboard |
Commercial : Potchefstroom | Port Elizabeth | Pretoria |
Head Office : South Africa |