In the marquee tent. That’s the place to be on the weekend of the DStv Franschhoek Bastille Festival, says Reinher Behrens, chief executive officer of the Franschhoek tourism authority.
Why have a Bastille Festival in Franschhoek?
It’s a celebration of our French culture and history. A whole lot of French Huguenots came and established themselves here when this place was still known as Olifantshoek – there’s evidence that there were once elephants here. One thing is certain, a lot has changed since that time, just the mountains have stayed the same. Naturally, the French are known around the world for their food and wine, so the festival goes hand-in-hand with the valley’s delicious food and wine. And the French’s Bastille Day is about their celebration of their freedom. And here in Franschhoek we have a lot of freedom.