Le Quartier Francais

Le Quartier Francais lies in the heart of South Africa’s Winelands. A Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel with three enticing restaurants, including the award-winning, gastronomic Relais Gourmand, where superb cooking is combined with astounding creativity.

Le Quartier Francais, in the wine and foodie heaven of Franschhoek, is a perfect place from which to explore the Winelands and Cape Town or to stop en route to or from the Garden Route.

Accommodation

15 auberge luxury rooms are located around a central courtyard and pool. All have wood-burning fires for chillier winter evenings and air conditioning for hot summer days, large sitting areas, DVD players, free internet access, and a bathroom with under-floor heating, walk-in shower and separate bath. Or enjoy one of the larger auberge suites, in the owner’s original home, with their own private pools and loft rooms that are perfect for kids. The exclusive Four Quarter suites ratchet up the indulgence with full complimentary bar and butler service, while the two-bedroom cottage provides a more private escape for those who want to be a part of, yet slightly apart from, the main hotel.

Food

In a village known for its high quality dining, Le Quartier Francais stands out for its exemplary cuisine. Under Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux Margot Janse, The Tasting Room often features in “World’s Best Restaurant” lists, and a meal here will not disappoint. Choose from a four, six or eight course menu accompanied by exquisite local wines. Dishes might include lemon-poached crayfish tail with prawn wafer and marshmallow, followed by a trio of Karoo lamb, almond crushed potatoes, and broad bean, sweetbread and porcini ragout. Next-door, iCi has a more casual atmosphere, but standards are just as high and the food every bit as delicious. Cooking classes are arranged periodically, if you want to master some of the delicious recipes to impress friends at home.

Activities

In the heat of summer, you may just wish to relax by the hotel’s pool before exploring the local vineyards in your hire car. As evening falls, you could always watch a movie in Le Quartier Francais’ own intimate screening room, which has just 24 seats.  If you like to be indulged, go to the treatment room and let yourself be gently pummelled, or pampered with a Decléor treatment. And why not enjoy one of the local golf courses in the area, some horse riding through the wineries or even a two-hour helicopter trip over the vineyards and valleys of the Cape?