The Franschhoek region, situated in the Western Cape, is an area well known for its picturesque scenery and clean atmosphere, making it one of the prime areas for property in South Africa. Directly translated, Franschhoek means “French Corner”. It is a quaint town in the Western Cape Province, and one of the oldest in South Africa, dating back to the late 1600's.

The region was settled by French Huguenot refugees who planted the first vines in the valley , and many of whom where given land by the Dutch government in a nearby valley called Olifantshoek , which was at that time frequented by vast herds of elephants. Most of the early settlers went on to name their farms after areas in France, such as Dieu Donnè, Chamonix, La Dauphine, Cabriére and La Cotte. These were some of the first established farms in the Franschhoek region, many of which have retained their original farm houses and are today renowned wineries.

The Franschhoek region will appeal to the property investor with an appreciation of scenic natural beauty and the outdoor lifestyle. The Franschhoek Valley lies adjacent to the Dwars River Valley and offers outdoor enthusiasts a variety of activities such as hiking, walking, cycling, horse-riding and fishing sailing on the nearby Theewaterskloof Dam as well as a golf course. For the less energetic, the town features an interesting variety of historical monument ans attractions which include the well know Huguenot monument, and a museum.

The Cape Dutch architecture which can be seen throughout the Franschhoek remains virtually unchanged due to the fact that restrictions have been placed on renovations and construction in an attempt to preserve the local history.

Property values in Franschhoek have seen a steady increase since the 1990's, and a number of factors including good weather and scenic beauty, some of South Africa's top gourmet restaurants, good schools, amenities and its close proximity to Cape Town make it a place well worth living in.

Residential property for sale in Franschhoek is dominated by the Cape Dutch style of architecture, and as a result many of the older homes are much larger, featuring as many as five bedrooms. Most of these properties also feature large yards with sprawling manicured lawns and big trees. Homes for sale in Franshhoek also include golf and gated estates, and apartment. Prices of property in Franschhoek range from between about R900 000 and R 28,500,000. In the region surrounding the town of Franschhoek, there are also a large number of farms and vacant land for sale.