The town is also famous for having the largest number of Cape Dutch houses of anywhere in the region. The most harmonious examples are to be found on Dorp, Church & Drostdy streets. Stellenbosch has many galleries and museums housing important national collections and the Stellenbosch Conservatoire is the country’s oldest music school.

It was in 1694 the first farms were granted to the Huguenots in the Franschoek region, hence the French influence that can still be seen today. Franschoek has become a centre for gourmet dining showcasing award-winning restaurants. The quaint main street is lined with shops and galleries with The Huguenot Memorial and Museum being well worth a visit. Franschoek is regarded as the best fly-fishing area of the western Cape.