La Clé
FRANSCHHOEK. SOUTH AFRICA
4 Villas & a Lodge set amidst vineyards and orchards, yet only a 5 minute walk into the heart of Franschhoek
here you gain an insider glimpse into village life in South Africa. From exploring the mountains, to discovering the best wines, cheese and restaurants in the valley, La Clé celebrates life.
THE KEY
Its name, meaning ‘the key’, La Clé makes the most of the picturesque mountain-and-valley scenery of Franschhoek.
The essence of La Clé lies not only within the exceptional attention to detail, exquisite finishes, and superb location but also in the breadth of experience. With a team of chefs, the cuisine is dynamic and fresh, from local-style ‘braais’ to laden breakfast tables, personalised picnics, private dining and select Shared Table evenings.
The key in their logo signifies the unlocking of the secrets of Franschhoek and they invite their guests to live like a local in the beautiful Cape Winelands. Soak up the valley, visit the art galleries, shop at the market, sample the local wines and discover a sense of tranquillity, space, taste, and style with the lifestyle of Franschhoek.
Owned by international entrepreneur, Michael Pawlowski, the experience is modelled after his discerning needs when travelling with his wife and four children. The Lodge and Villas are set amidst vineyards on the edge of Franschhoek, only a short walk from the heart of the village.
FAST FACTS
RATES
Rooms:
R 5 450 – R 12 750
per room per night
Villas:
R 20 500 – R 72 850
per villa per night
ACCESS
Fly:
Cape Town
International Airport
Drive:
60 minutes from Cape Town, 25 minutes from Stellenbosch
CHILDREN
Villas:
All ages
Lodge:
12 years+
Designed and created with families in mind the Villas are like a home, while the Lodge with individual rooms is better suited to adults.
What we love
SITTING PRETTY
Ideal location on two private farms with vineyards and plum orchards, yet only a 5 minute walk to the Franschhoek main street with restaurants and shops.
CULINARY FLEXIBILITY
From a gourmet dinner or a braai (BBQ) to a light snack or a picnic, all the meal choices support local producers.
DYNAMIC PURPOSE
From couples to families and friends, there is an option for everyone with rooms, suites and exclusive use villa stays.
UNLOCK THE SECRETS
La Clé is your key to living like a local in Franschhoek and celebrating a slice of South African life.
La Clé
The impact of your stay
La Clé is not directly involved with conservation like the other Classic Portfolio members, but they do strive to make an impact in their community.
When you visit Franschhoek you see one side of life in the village with food, wine and beauty all around. But there is another side, of poverty and children growing up with a limited future.
La Clé is a foundation sponsor of the The Kusasa Project and continues to support them long term. They work within the Franschhoek community to break the cycle of poverty by engaging disadvantaged children during the very important early childhood learning phase. The overall aim is to give them a strong foundation for educational and human development leading to a brighter future for all.
Every stay contributes through:
- Paying the Community Fee of R 50 (2023) & R 60 (2024) per person per night. This fee is paid over in full to The Kusasa Project.
- Enjoying the meals at La Clé, prepared by Mel Shepherd the manager and chef, who supports local producers within a 30km radius.
- Spending time and money in the village of Franschhoek contributes to the well-being of the wider community who rely of tourism.
Document
Downloads
FACTS
OTHER KEY DOCS
IMAGE LIBRARY
Visit our Image Library where you can download images in any size
FRANSCHHOEK
La Clé Lodge
Nestled in the centre of Franschhoek, this beautiful thatch farmhouse has been lovingly restored to a tasteful country lodge with spacious living areas, 5 beautiful en-suite bedrooms and a kitchen at the heart of the experience.
The Lodge epitomises gracious country living with views across vineyards and onto the mountains. Run by a culinary team with warm and attentive service, here meals are cooked, drinks are poured and conversation abounds. Guests have the option of joining a Shared Table dinner party around the central long table, an outside braai (South African BBQ) on a hot summer night or a table just for two.
La Clé Lodge appeals to a traveller who appreciates art, design, cuisine, country living and being in a ‘home’ rather than a hotel. A 10 minute walk away, on a separate village-farm, are the 4 La Clé Villas.
SEASONALITY: Open all year
CHILDREN: 12+ years
NOTE: La Clé Lodge is also popular on an exclusive use basis, kids all ages welcome on a villa basis.
La Clé Lodge
5 bedrooms
FRANSCHHOEK
Grange Villa
This beautiful historic village barn has been sensitively converted and now offers a large open living space with a double-sided fire in the centre, 3 gracious en-suite bedrooms and an open loft area (perfect for up to 4 kids when Grange is taken on an exclusive use Villa basis).
With loads of eating and sitting spaces both in- and outdoors, a large open-plan kitchen, a sun soaked swimming pool and lovely mountain views, Grange works well on both a per room or exclusive Villa basis.
Situated on a farm on the edge of the village, the 4 Villas (Grange, Manoir, Galerie and Domain) are perfect for a small group (wedding and birthday celebrations). A 10 minute walk away, on a separate village-farm, is La Clé Lodge.
SEASONALITY: Open all year
CHILDREN: 12+ year on a per room basis. All ages welcome when booking the villa exclusively.
NOTE: Villa rate includes added extras of daily snack basket, house drinks and a dedicated host.
Grange
3 bedrooms
or from R 29 500 per villa per night
FRANSCHHOEK
Manoir Villa
This historic farmhouse is one of the most beautiful buildings in the village of Franschhoek. Here you can get lost between the numerous rooms or take advantage of the verandah that wraps around three sides of Manoir.
Manoir has only 2 bedrooms and is perfect for a family or couple. The main suite, which is the grandest of all rooms at La Clé, has a dressing room and beautiful en-suite, while the second room, which is a much smaller, is suited to children and it has a separate lounge that can take a third bed.
There is a study, dining room, lounge, conservatory area and lovely kitchen, leading to outside areas which include a large swimming pool and rolling lawns.
Situated on a farm on the edge of the village, the 4 Villas (Grange, Manoir, Galerie and Domain) are perfect for a small group (wedding and birthday celebrations). A 10 minute walk away, on a separate village-farm, is La Clé Lodge.
SEASONALITY: Open all year
CHILDREN: All ages.
Manoir
2 bedrooms
FRANSCHHOEK
Galerie Villa
Reminiscent of an eclectic artist’s residence, this stylish 2-bedroom Villa has an open-plan living area leading to the best verandah at La Clé. Overlooking your private garden, enjoy sitting and dining with expansive views of the vineyards and mountains.
With two equal rooms, Galerie is the perfect escape for two couples.
Situated on a farm on the edge of the village, the 4 Villas (Grange, Manoir, Galerie and Domain) are perfect for a small group (wedding and birthday celebrations). A 10 minute walk away, on a separate village-farm, is La Clé Lodge.
SEASONALITY: Open all year
CHILDREN: All ages.
Galerie
2 bedrooms
FRANSCHHOEK
Domain Villa
Alongside the 2-bedroomed Galerie there is the beautifully restored Domain. What was once the chicken coop is now a very stylish 4-bedroomed Villa loved by extended families and groups of friends.
Domain’s light and airy interiors combine the purity of African colour with vibrant style. The 4 rooms are not all equal but share very generous living spaces. Besides the large indoor lounge, there is a breakfast verandah which faces the rising sun, a lunch verandah which is deeper and has an outside dining and sitting area and finally a sundowner verandah which faces the setting sun and has uninterrupted views over the pool to the mountains and vineyards.
Situated on a farm on the edge of the village, the 4 Villas (Grange, Manoir, Galerie and Domain) are perfect for a small group (wedding and birthday celebrations). A 10 minute walk away, on a separate village-farm, is La Clé Lodge.
SEASONALITY: Open all year.
CHILDREN: All ages.
Domain
4 bedrooms
La Clé
FEATURED OFFER
Classic Combo
Save 25% on accommodation when booking any combination of 2 or all 3 of the following:
- 4 nights at La Clé
- 4 nights at Kwandwe Private Reserve
- 4 nights at Marataba Camps
NB: Book 8 nights at two properties or 12 nights across all three to receive the discount.
Valid: 15 Jan – 30 Apr 2023
La Clé
FEATURED JOURNEY
Safari Sandwich & Island Unwind
We call this our "slam-dunk" combination as it offers fantastic diversity, easy access and is available all year round. It is also well suited to couples and families alike.
La Clé
Location
Getting there
FLY
The nearest airport is Cape Town International Airport
DRIVE
La Clé des Montagnes is a 60-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport and 25 minutes from Stellenbosch
Availability
Contact
Email:
reservations@lacle.co.za
Tel:
+27 21 876 4833
Emergency:
+27 63 007 9266
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Based in Franschhoek.
