Description
A Celebration of Freedom... in true French style with guillotine!
The Franschhoek Valley takes it's French Huegenot heritage seriously and every year during the weekend closest to Bastille Day, on 14 July, the town hosts the Bastille Festival. This year the Bastille Festival has a wonderful new theme - the celebration of freedom!
Tokyo Sexwale, patron of the Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourist Association (FWVTA) and upon whom the highest order, Légion d'honneur was bestowed by French President Mitterrand, will lead The Long Walk from Drakenstein prison (formerly Victor Verster) to the French Huguenot Monument in commemoration of the memorable release of Nelson Mandela. A guillotine play will highlight the end of this significant walk.
This fun walk will be accompanied by decorated floats assembled from farm tractors and trailers in the Valley each celebrating positive aspects of South African history, life, and other relevant international aspects.
All interested South Africans and foreigners are invited to participate in The Long Walk.
Of course, the traditional Bastille festival atmosphere will still be there - the food, the wine and all things French - "Boulle" or Pêtanque, barrel rolling competition, music, etc. Adding to the festival flair, buildings are draped in red, white and blue and townsfolk wear the traditional French beret available in Red and Blue from Franschhoek Hospice.
And Franschhoek upholds its reputation of the country's gourmet capital, with deliciousites prepared by the village's top chefs, paired with many award-winning wines from this beautiful valley.
Don't forget to pack your beret and blue, white and red threads!
Franschhoek Bastille Festival
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