The Huguenots - Franschhoek - Cape Town - South Africa history   A small group of Huguenots immigrated to South Africa from France because of a Holy War that had broken out which made it impossible to live in France.   On 24th August 1672, 2000 Huguenots in Paris and around 10.000 in other French States were killed by soldiers.  Around 200.000 Huguenots left France and a small group was taken in by the Dutch East India Company.  Their ship landed in Cape Town in 1688.   The Huguenots had a vast knowledge in Wine making, and van Riebeeck, as well as Simon van der Stel were happy about the arrival of the Huguenots.  All together, about 166 Immigrants arrived in Cape Town from France.  Later more Huguenot families arrived at the Cape.   The Huguenots searched for an area ideal for wine making and found Franschhoek, 25km away from Stellenbosch.  The name Franschhoek means "French Corner".   When visiting Franschhoek, note the French flair in the cafes and restaurants.  Family names such as La Dauphine, La couronne, Le Roux, Joubert or De Villiers are also not uncommon in Franschhoek.   The Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek is a reminder to all inhabitants who gave Franschhoek its name.   The following wine farms can be found in the region of Franschhoek:          La Motte L'Ormarins Mouton-Excelsior Haute Provence Boschendal Chamonix Allee Blue Bellingham Boekenhoutskloof Cabriere Estate Cape Chamonix Eikehof Cabriere Estate Cape Chamonix Franschhoek Vineyards Freedom Hill Wines GlenWood Graham Beck Wines Grande Provence - The Winery Haut Espoir Keerweder Estate La Bri La Couronne Wine Estate La Petite Ferme Landau du Val Wines Le Manoir de Brendel Lynx Wines Mont Rochelle Mountain Vineyards Moreson Soleil Du Matin Plaisir De Merle Rickety Bridge Winery Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons Stony Brook Vrede en Lust Dieu Donne Vineyards Eikehof   The following restaurants can be found in Franschhoek and are highly recommended:   Boschendal - William Mathabese & Gabriel Stoffels Monneauz - Lizette Crabtree Le Quartier Francais - Margot Janse Haute Cabriere - Mathew Gordon Le Petite Ferme - Olivia Mitchell La Couronne - Roger Clement French Connection - Mathew Gordon Topsi & Co - Topsi Venter