23/06/2025
The Story of Franschhoek🦉
Franschhoek, located in the Western Cape of South Africa, has a history closely tied to the arrival of French Huguenots in the late 17th century. In 1685, King Louis XIV of France revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had protected Protestants in Catholic France. As a result, thousands of Huguenots were forced to flee their homeland.
In 1688, nearly 300 French Huguenots arrived at the Cape of Good Hope. The Dutch East India Company granted them land in what was then called Oliphantshoek, named for the elephants that roamed the valley. Over time, the settlement became known as le Coin Français (the French Corner) and later Franschhoek, the Dutch translation of the name.
The Huguenots brought their knowledge of farming and viticulture, establishing some of the Cape's earliest wine farms. Many of these farms were named after regions in France, including La Motte, Cabrière, La Cotte, and Bourgogne. While the settlers attempted to preserve their French language and traditions, they were gradually assimilated into Dutch colonial society, and their descendants spoke Dutch and later Afrikaans.
The Huguenot Monument, built in 1948, stands at the entrance to Franschhoek and commemorates the settlers and their influence on the region. The nearby Huguenot Memorial Museum provides historical context, displaying tools, clothing, and artifacts from the period.
The architecture in Franschhoek reflects a mix of Cape Dutch, Victorian, and modern styles. Many of the original Cape Dutch farmhouses remain intact, protected by strict regulations on renovations and new construction.
The Franschhoek railway line was built in 1904 to transport agricultural products to markets in Paarl and beyond. Steam locomotives initially ran on the line, later replaced by diesel engines. By the 1990s, the service was discontinued due to reduced demand. In 2012, the Franschhoek Wine Tram was introduced as a tourism initiative, using newly built trams to transport visitors between wine estates.
Today, Franschhoek is known for its wineries, fine dining, and tourism. It remains one of South Africa’s key wine producing areas, with several farms specializing in Cap Classique, the local version of Champagne. The town is also home to numerous art galleries, antique shops, and outdoor activities, making it a popular destination for visitors.
Story cred: Origins 22 - Genealogy & History