Event List

Bastille Festival in Franschhoek sees Belleépoque at La Motte

Belle époque 'Beautiful era' - the golden age of art and culture in France in the early 20th century.

An exhibition of famous French tapestries and ceramics, a classical music concert dedicated to French composers, a special menu of French cuisine, beautiful baguettes and internationally acclaimed wines - all elegantly presented - will give some French flair to the La Motte celebrations during the annual Bastille weekend on 14 & 15 July 2012.

As a cultural exchange program between South Africa and France, this year a French Season in South Africa will commence formally in July and continue into November. This initiative reinforces the strong, deep bonds that unite the two countries and La Motte's program for the French festivities will ensure that any and all of the French visitors will feel right at home while offering our local supporters a taste of the culture, art and gastronomy of France!

Taste the range of award-winning La Motte wines presented from La Motte's welcoming tasting room with a special French theme or from the Food & Wine Marquee on the town square. The 5-star Platter 2009 Pierneef Shiraz • Viognier will also make out part of the flight of French and Franschhoek wines available for tasting at the VIP tent in town as well as the Technical Tasting for the Public that will take place at Grande Provence on Sunday morning*.

Pierneef à La Motte restaurant will offer live café music and a dedicated French menu with favourites such as Ladal Layoinnaise, Pâté de campagne, Lamb rack Provençal,  Boeuf Bourguignon, Apple tarte tatin and Bergamot crème brulee, to name but a few. And as a further celebration of the French food culture, the La Motte Farm Shop with its artisan breads will be selling lovely freshly-baked baguettes to take home and enjoy.

The La Motte museum is host to the inspiring tapestries and ceramics of acclaimed French artist, Jean Lurçat and the monthly classical music concert presented from the historic cellar on the estate, will be featuring the beautiful duo of Zorada Temmingh and Elna van der Merwe on two pianos with a celebration of French composers.  Well-known for their wonderful arrangements of classical masterpieces, this once-off performance for La Motte has them jogging through Saint-Saëns' 'Carnival of the Animals', while shortening Bizet's 'Carmen' to ten minutes and dancing along with a habañera, a bolero and a cake walk.

 

For reservations and more information:

Pierneef à La Motte restaurant: +27(0)21 876 8800 (dinner reservations only)

Classical Music Concerts: Angela at +27(0)21 876 8000 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Concert takes place on Saturday, 14 July and starts promptly at 19:00

Cost: R170

Hours: The wine tasting room, restaurant, farm shop and museum will be open on 14 and 15 July from 09:00 to 17:00.

 

For more information about La Motte, please visit www.la-motte.com or call +27(0)21 876 8000 and for more information on the *Bastille Festival, go to www.franschhoekbastille.co.za