It’s that time of year again, and the Franschhoek Bastille Festival is just around the corner.

It’s the perfect excuse to dress in your finest French attire, eat far too much cheese, wield a baguette, and drink a stellar range of fantastic wines.

What’s not to love?

The historic Franschhoek Huguenot Monument is the place to be for this two-day event, which takes place over the weekend of July 13 and 14.

This year the Food & Wine Marquee is taking it up a notch by inviting visitors to dress according to a theme – your finest red, white and blue French-inspired outfit – in order to stand a chance to win the coveted title of  Franschhoek Bastille Festival Best Dressed.

First, second and third prize winners will be drawn on both days.

The marquee is guaranteed to keep out the cold while still offering exquisite views of the mountain.

Ample parking on the grounds allows for comfortable walking distance to and from the village.

Most importantly, you’ll get the chance to sample the wide selection of Franschhoek wines on offer, or treat your tastebuds to the variety of delicious gourmet fare available to purchase from some of the Valley’s well-known restaurants.

Tickets to the Food & Wine Marquee cost R395 per person, and include entry, a complimentary tasting glass, tasting coupons, and a R20 voucher which is redeemable against purchases on the day.

You’ll want to keep a special lookout for the Antonij Rupert Wyne stall where you’ll find some of the finest wine in the region.

I’ll be sticking exclusively to the L’Ormarins Méthode Cap Classique – a sparkling wine produced the same way as its famous French counterpart, with a second fermentation in the bottle to create those delicious bubbles.

There’s an extra special treat in store on Sunday this year, with Karen Zoid performing live.

The festival times are 11AM to 5PM on the Saturday, and 11AM to 3PM on the Sunday. Sunday’s festivities are ideally suited for the whole family, with ample fun kiddies’ entertainment for the little ones. 

Booking is essential, and you can get your tickets HERE.

You can also visit https://www.franschhoekbastille.co.za/.