Franschhoek has long been lauded the gourmet capital of the Cape with its world class vineyards and restaurants, set in the most beautifully scenic surroundings. It has a rather beguiling way of bringing out a different side of yourself whenever frequenting this picturesque French corner of the wine regions. A sense of sophistication ensues as one’s gestures become passionately emphatic, the attire becomes very Parisian and suddenly Bouillabaisse is your top dish on the weekend’s menu. The village is chock-a-block with little pockets of bougainvillea walkways and bushy lemon trees lining the lanes that lead to coffee hatches and pâtisseries, boutiques and gallery spaces. All centered around the award-winning restaurants, wine estates, fruit farms, historical landmarks, and charming residential homes that rest in the valley. It’s a place that serves an endless helping of European elegance amidst an African landscape, with an archetypal African way of slow, sultry living.
Occupying over eight hectares of wild and manicured gardens, vineyards and freshwater dams, horse paddocks and country cottage residences, at the foot of the Franschhoek Mountains, Jardin de la Ferme is a unique escape in the heart of the valley. Comprising of a Manor House, two adjacent cottages and an additional four farm-style dwellings beneath the old oaks, beside the dams, this hideaway is the idyllic country retreat for multigenerational families to gather in the winelands. The Manor House and its gorgeous, luxurious cottages and additional dwellings can accommodate as many as thirty-four of your most favourite people. The perfect place for milestone celebrations and all kinds of vows uttered. What is now a working farm with vines and beautiful walkways meandering scenic routes around the property, Jardin de la Ferme is in the making of becoming something truly special in the valley. A place where the beautifully designed contemporary country residences satiate an appetite for Franschhoek living. The gardens and their magnificent views of the entire valley whisk you away to somewhere enchanting and the boundless activities that can be explored in the area all pivot from the farm’s center.
You’ll spend hours swimming in the dams, picnicking beneath the weeping willows on the banks. Lounging on the verandahs with a good book and cold jugs of freshly pressed juices and mint and lemon and lavender plucked from the gardens. You’ll gather beside the big open fireplaces when the temperatures drop, sampling the fruits of the vines and sharing all of those fun family tales. Given that the village is only a 10-minute walk away, the culinary and cultural delights of the town await, when you fancy venturing out and about. That’s the beauty of this place and its alluring qualities that turns you into a connoisseur on la belle vie. You’re at liberty to live in the sage green, thatched quarters of Jardin de la Ferme, revelling in the warm, homely splendour of its environment. You can feast around the tables and relax and unwind in all of the lovely reclining spaces. Or you can head into town and feast at the finest tables. You can head into the hills, out onto the estates, around the ankles of the vast mountain ranges and live your best Afri-French life, s’il vous plaît.
What we love!
- Jardin de la Ferme – which translates to Farm Garden – is a contemporary Cape Dutch influenced build with beautiful, refined furnishings. Its warmth and authenticity comes from the thatch, herringbone flooring, wooden finishes and country colours of the landscape it inhabits.
- The views are spectacular! 360-degrees of mountain ranges, vineyards, the valley and its clusters of farm cottages. The colours of the landscape constantly change throughout the hours of the day, adding to the romance of the setting.
- Each residence is fully equipped for self catering so that you can be independent from the Manor House entirely – either renting out the farm exclusively or individual cottages. Depending on the size of your clan.
What you need to know…
- Jardin de la Ferme comprises of the main house (Le Chateau), two cottages (Fleur de Lis and Eau de Vie) and four dwellings. One can rent the entire farm for exclusive use, or rent the Main house and cottages individually. The dwellings may be rented in conjunction with these for guest overflow, but not individually.
- Le Chateau (Manor House) – sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms
- Eau de Vie (Cottage) – sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms
- Fleur de Lis (Cottage) – sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms
- Heureaux – sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms
- Déjà vu – sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms
- Bonne Heure – sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms
- Au Revoir- sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms
- There’s a games room with a snooker table at Le Chateau.
- It’s not only about food and wine it’s also about art, cars, culture, history and health. The Drakenstein Correctional Centre, marked by a bronze statue of Nelson Mandela, is where the former president walked out a free a man after spending 27 years behind bars. The Franschhoek motor museum on the L’Ormarins Estate is a backseat journey through a billionaire’s garage.
- The notoriously voguish village of Franschhoek is overflowing with fabulous eateries including Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse at Maison, La Petite Colombe, Bread & Wine, Foliage and Le Coin Français – which all require prior reservations. There is also an abundance of less fussy, more laid-back restaurants on several reputable wine estates and within the village itself.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie