[10 Things I Love About...] The Hidden Franschhoek

By Linda Coltart, General Manager of Franschhoek's feted Le Quartier Francais Hotel and Restaurants

1. The beauty: 360° of some of the country's most majestic mountains, a valley that goes from bright green to yellow to orange to red and then brown all in one year.

2. The locals: I have lived here 15 years and some have become best friends, some have become amazing colleagues and some have become great acquaintances. Names like Jenny Hobbs - author, Nick Norman - geologist and author, Chris Everson - cameraman at CBS News, Jacqueline Crew-Brown - artist, Anna-Mart van der Merwe - actress, David and Sarah Walters - professional potters and the list goes on but more importantly is how our community stands together in times of need and in times of fun.

3. It's not a secret but a definite high, having a famous friend, in my very own village: We all dream of meeting Robbie Williams (well I do) or shaking hands with Obama or dining with Tomas Kellar - well I have it all and I am godmother to her child!! Margot Janse is my best friend.

4.Uninterrupted Mountain biking in my very own back yard: An early morning ride as the sun comes up over the Berg River Dam, kilometres of dirt and single track with just me and my bike buddy, picturesque views and baboons on the climb up the Franschhoek Pass and the rush of a 60km descent back into the village.

5. Having touched and picked a lemon from a tree planted by Madiba: A hidden secret only shared with a few.

6. Having a "gentle giant" that lives high up in the Franschhoek mountains and very privileged to drink his wines - Haut Espoir: With hectares of natural indigenous fynbos and extensive bird species one can spend hours walking and listening to "the giant's" tales of ancient medicinal and edible plant species. I was privy to a rare find at Haut Espoir an endangered protea species called Serruria Gracilis or the Graceful Spiderhead with only 20 surviving plants left on the farm.

7. Neil Jewell, our charcuterie hero at Bread & Wine: This is one of my favourite eating haunts and he has taught me a thing or two about curing and preserving, and more importantly how to eat and enjoy his handcrafted meats. He has a wicked sense of humour and is a keen mountain biker too.

8. Having some of the best French champagnes and French cheeses within walking distance from my home: This is a real bonus and it helps when you are great friends too. Lodine and Ludwig are serious locals, born and raised in the Hoek and very proud of what our valley has to offer but their treasure trove beneath the wine shop full of "French" is what I love most.

9. Visiting our local female garagiste: A 4x4 or heavy-duty vehicle is needed to reach this piece of paradise. Two single tracks roughly paved take you to the home of this humble, no fuss or high-heel enthusiast. Sip on her Cap Classique as the sun goes down.

10. Breakfast treat at Café des Arts: Hidden down a pathway alongside creaking bamboo and shaded by ancient oaks, Chris and his team put on a spread fit for a king - delightful pastries, fluffy scrambled eggs and piles of flapjacks are just some of his treats.

See www.lqf.co.za.