Franschhoek is celebrating the 21 st anniversary of its Bastille Festival this weekend, and is adding a spicy new touch of the Seychelles to the festivities. The Festival has a brand new location in Franschhoek too.
The Food & Wine Marquee has been moved next door to the Huguenot Monument, where the Champagne Festival is held successfully, and will no longer be located in the village centre, as in the previous years. Entrance to the Marquee is limited, and in the past Saturdays have always been sold out in advance, at an entrance cost of R200, making it imperative to buy tickets in advance On Sundays it is easier to get into the Marquee, with the entrance price reduced to R180.
The Food & Wine Marquee will be home to 25 Franschhoek Vignerons, including Allée Bleue, Babylonstoren, Anthonij Rupert Wines, Backsberg, Bellingham, Black Elephant Vintners, Boschendal, Dieu Donné, Grande Provence, Haute Cabriere, Holden Manz, La Bri, Leopard’s Leap, Môreson, Noble Hill, Plaisir de Merle, Rickety Bridge, Rupert & Rothschild, Solms-Delta, Vrede & Lust, La Petite Ferme, La Motte, Akkerdal, Morena, and Glenwood. Ndlovu beer will also be available to taste. Local restaurants serving food are Anthonij Rupert Wines, Backsberg, Grand Provence, Holden Manz, Le Franschhoek Hotel, Noble Hill, Rickety Bridge, Solms-Delta, L’ermitage, Bread & Wine, Reubens & Racine, and Wild Peacock.
The atmosphere on Franschhoek’s main road is electric and fun, with visitors wearing red, blue and white, and donning a beret, to get into the French spirit! Almost every business on the main road is draped in bunting in the French colours, and has a table of treats, fresh fruit and vegetables, and beers for sale. The Farmers’ Market will be held outside the Church Hall; there is a Franschhoek SPCA Boules Tournament; a Porcupine Ridge Barrel Rolling Competition; the Delta Valley Entertainers from Solms-Delta will form part of the Festival; a Bastille Market is housed in the Town Hall; the Salomon Bastille Trail Run over 14, 24, 35, and 50 km takes place on Saturday morning; and the MTB Classic over 10, 32, and 45 km takes place on Sunday morning.
A troupe of dancers and musicians from the Seychelles will be part of the street parade, and will also be seen and heard in the Food
& Wine Marquee on Saturday and on Sunday. A Best Seychelles Sega Dance competition will be judged by the visiting performers on each of the two days, two winners per day being selected as winners and flown to the Seychelles and accommodated there.
The Bastille Festival is one of three annual events, with the Literary Festival and Champagne Festival, that attract large numbers of visitors to the village. The village is in party mode, and it is good to see that Uber will be on duty, offering a first ride voucher to the value of R200. Let the party begin!
Franschhoek Bastille Festival, Huguenot Road, Franschhoek. Tel (021) 876-2861. www.franschhoekbastille.co.za Twitter: @Franschhoek_SA www.webtickets.co.za R200 entrance fee on Saturday, R180 on Sunday, and R150 per person for a table of ten. Marquee 12h00 – 17h00.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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