LE QUARTIER FRANCAIS - FRANSCHHOEK:
A splash of style in the heart of Franschhoek, gourmet capital of the Cape. This privatelt owned Auberge offers a warm ambience with country hospitality in keeping with the spirit of the surrounding area.

Luxury rooms with bold interiors create a vibrant, fresh atmosphere in beautiful country gardens. The two suites have secluded lush gardens with private pools.

Their award-winning restaurant will seduce you with exciting flavours, local ingredients and interesting wines of the valley.

Here, the old world meets the new in a marriage of sophistication and comfort where skilled staff are dedicated to spoiling you. 15 Rooms, 2 Suites. Children of all ages welcome. Air-conditioned rooms. Award winning restaurant.

CUISINE:

Le Quartier Français is legendary for its innovative cuisine. With an endless list of awards and renowned executive chef Margot Janse at the helm, it is a superbly rated restaurant.

The cuisine is contemporary and creative, using seasonal local ingredients. Guests have a variety of dining options: At the Auberge there are The Tasting Room and iCi.

TOP 50 RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD BEST RESTAURANT IN THE MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
- RESTAURANT MAGAZINE UK 2005

EXECUTIVE MEETINGS:
Intimate boardroom meetings of up to 24 delegates can be enjoyed in the privacy of "The Library".

Equipment includes white board, flip chart, projection screen, digital projector, overhead projector.

Seating: Board Room 14; School Room 24 and Screening Room 24.

THINGS TO DO:

Môreson Wine Farm:
Môreson's quality wine will take you on a journey of the senses and an unforgetable experience. In 1580 when Sir Francis Drake sailed around the Cape in The Golden Hind, the ruggedness and breathtaking beauty of the peninsula inspired him to write:
This Cape is a most stately thing and the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the earth.

And that was before he had tasted the wines of the Fairest Cape. The unsurpassed seascape of Cape Point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, the slopes and valleys of the Hottentots-Holland and Drakenstein Mountains and the fertile soil all demarcate the different areas in the wine region which influence the legendary Cape wines found at the foot of Africa. The beautiful and overwhelming Cape Winelands are located within a radius of 150km of Cape Town, Table Mountain and Table Bay. Table Bay, known throughout the globe as "The Tavern of the Seas", is the export hub for South African wines. The Dutch called it "The Cape of Good Hope". They would not have been wrong to name it "Cape of Good Wine".

Situated in the Franschhoek valley, our vineyards are the first recipients of the morning rays, hence "Môreson" which in Afrikaans means "morning sun". The farm nestles beneath the dramatic Franschhoek mountains, which are snow-capped in winter. Bordering the one side is the Franschhoek River, which meanders through the fertile soil, carrying the centuries old secret of good winemaking. Bordering the other side is a natural forest, its deep greens complementing the clear blue of the sky, the mysterious purple of the mountains, the light greens or rusty browns of the vineyards and the bright yellow of the lemon groves. Two kilometers of dirt road leads you to Môreson through this kaleidoscope of colour.

The farm is about 5km from picturesque Franschhoek - a quaint little town with lots of ambiance, a fascinating history, breathtaking scenery, a definite French character, and the culinary capital of South Africa.
Scientific vineyard location and meticulous winemaking, which determine the final quality of our wine, is our philosophy at Môreson. Out focus is therefore on:
producing the best grapes from our Franschhoek vineyards
careful sourcing of the best grapes from the Paarl and Stellenbosch vineyard and
excellence in the cellar.

The diversity of the Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch regions can be traced to influences of the oceans, mountains and soils. It is this diversity that we seek and use in our winemaking. Our focus is to take the grapes from each vineyard and express their intrinsic character in the special wines we craft.
In our Franschhoek vineyards, the soils are lighter and ideal for earlier ripening varieties like our Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. With the Franschhoek Mountains shading the vineyards from early morning and late afternoon sun, and an almost continuous southeaster from Walker Bay, our vineyards and ripening grapes are kept cool during the long, warm summer.
In our Paarl vineyards the soil has a higher clay component which helps with moisture retention, and a layer of small stones which keeps the soil cool. When you add the cool Atlantic breezes most afternoons, the Paarl vineyards are ideal for the long ripening period of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Using the best grapes of all three vineyard regions we focus on excellence in winemaking.

Bread & Wine Restaurant:
Informal lunches, vineyard weddings, an afternoon with friends, loaves of bread to enjoy with Môreson wines.

Animal Zone:
New and exciting concept of interaction with rare, exotic species.

Bordeaux Street Art Gallery:
Suppliers of divine artworks and gifts.

Butterfly World:
Thousands of species.

Winefarms:

Bellingham, Cabriére Estate, Landau du Val and Môreson are just a few of the 20 wine estates in the surrounding area that offer wine sales and tasting , cellar and vineyard tours.

FRANSCHHOEK:
Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape winelands lies the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. This is the food and wine heartland of the country, where splendid wines are grown and our top chefs create international cuisine.

Breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world class cuisine and the finest wines. This is the beautiful Franschhoek Valley in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Spectacular vineyards cover these mountain slopes settled 300 years ago by the Huguenots, who brought with them their age-old French wine and food culture. This is a valley rich in history centered around a picturesque village of friendly, welcoming people.

The wonderful spectrum of accommodation for visitors ranges from internationally renowned auberge's and guest houses to self-catering cottages on wine farms and much more besides.

In the village you will find wonderful crafts, art and antique shops and galleries. The main streets are lined with coffee shops and restaurants. Only 45 minutes from Cape Town - come and enjoy the gourmet capital of South Africa. Let Franschhoek be your base while you explore this exceptionally beautiful region.

Historical and cultural heritage:
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 Corner) - so named because of the vast herds of elephants that roamed the area. Soon after they settled here, it become known as Franschhoek (French Corner). These French Huguenots saw the potential of this fertile land and introduced wine production to South Africa. The Huguenot Valley, ringed by majestic mountains, is today one of the most beautiful wine areas in the world. Due to tradition of winemaking, the local winemakers have remained true to the classical method which gives wines from the area a unique style and produces some of South Africa’s top wines.

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.

Wonderful wines:
Driving into Franschhoek you will notice that most of the farms still bear their original French names and are usually complete with a spectacular Cape Dutch homestead, towering oaks and luscious vineyards. There are a variety of cellars, from small boutique wineries that cater for those in search of something unique, and large cellars that offer organized tours and conducted tastings.

The Gourmet Capital:
Eight of South Africa's "Top 100" restaurants are in Franschhoek - the gourmet capital of the country. Leading chefs create everything from world-class cuisine to light meals using the freshest produce of the valley, complemented by the wonderful local wines. Linger awhile and savour the hospitality, ambience and variety of 28 great restaurants.

Accommodation:
The picturesque village, ringed by tall mountains, offers the best accommodation - from stylish country auberge's to small bed & breakfasts. Stay among the scenic vineyards with spectacular views or in the quaint village. Enjoy the hospitality of charming guest houses, comfortable and well-appointed self-catering cottages, intimate bed & breakfasts and internationally acclaimed country lodges in the most beautiful setting imaginable.

Shops and Galleries:
A host of shops and galleries line the Main Street, providing a wonderful choice of antiques, a world class collection of artworks and interesting bric-a-brac to browse through. There are also specialty shops such as fromagerie's, a chocolate factory and a carpet maker.

Things to do:
For the more energetic there are numerous walking trails in the surrounding mountains, while the La Motte Forestry Station offers hiking, cycling, horse-riding and fly-fishing. There are also a number of trout fishing spots in various streams and dams on the surrounding farms. Locally trained guides are on hand to help you explore the region. For a wine tour with a difference hop onto a horse and visit a few of the Vignerons de Franschhoek. However, those in favour of a more sedate excursion might enjoy a carriage ride through the village and to some of the wine farms.

If you're in the vicinity in July, try to visit Franschhoek over the weekend closest to Bastille Day (14th July) when the village celebrates its French heritage with a wine and gourmet fair and lots, lots more.