So, given the village's adoration of its past (the Protestant Huguenots fled Catholic-run France) it is very surprising to be welcomed at L'Ermitage Estate by someone wearing a uniform that looks just the way I remember The Pope's Swiss Guards.
The self-catering villas are especially luxurious and comfortable and the outlook onto the dam is lovely. Elsewhere in the precinct, which includes a wedding chapel, a deli and conference centre, there are extravagant homes for those with more money than taste. Perhaps once the site is fully developed and greening is complete, it will be lovely?
With many fine accommodation options in Franschhoek, L'Ermitage is probably most popular with those from Sandton and elsewhere who are already comfortable with the faux Tuscan thing and won't object to faux French.
The food at the restaurant called 1688 (see, they're telling us something about the Huguenots again) is unexpectedly good. Even if you don't like gilded furniture, brocade curtains, elaborate tassels and tie-backs, swags et cetera, this restaurant is worth eating at if our dinner is anything to go by.
The crispy duck (R65) in phyllo pastry with cashews and ribbon cucumbers in an Asian and herb salad with dried pineapple and Asian dressing was stimulating and delicious while the phyllo theme continued with the whole deep fried petit Franschhoek camembert (R60). I liked the fact that local Franschhoek trout (R95) was served and skilfully cooked. The surprise for the evening was the ratatouille (R75) which was beautifully presented shaped in a bombe with strips of grilled aubergine containing the peppers and other vegetables. The ragout of the day was mushroom and beef (R80) in a cream sauce.
The accommodations offer everything you could want in a room. The lovely large outside sitting area with loungers and a table is accessed from the sitting room and the bedroom. From the plunge pool you'll be at eye level with the dam. We enjoyed watching birds take off and land, rather like sitting at the observation deck of a busy airport. The inside sitting area is also roomy but the furniture is so over-stuffed I thought I'd bounce off the couch.
The bath is exposed to the bedroom but the shower and toilet are closed by glass doors which while they provide visual privacy don't keep bathroom sounds and smells from being shared with someone in the bedroom. The feature we liked best? Electronic light-control panels that are menu driven and can control the entire suite's lights from each pad.
For more information go to www.lermitage.co.za or call +27 (0) 86 126 6626.
