Things to see and do Cape Town

Over 5,000 fish, from shark to tuna, the underwater Kelp Forest, the Touch Tide Pool and the Ray Pool, for an amazing tactile experience using a system of cameras and telescopes! Visitors are literally "immersed" in the world of Nemo! Multicoloured fish, giant turtles, the enchanting marine universe, all of this is impressive to observe, with their noses glued against the large windows surrounded by water. Numerous interactive installations to raise public awareness about marine pollution and environmental preservation.

The Slave Lodge is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Built in 1679, it housed over 9,000 slaves brought by the Dutch East India Company to serve as labour for the colony. From 1810 onwards, the building was converted to serve as a government office and later as the Supreme Court. It was first restored in 1960 to become the Museum of Cultural History and renamed Slave Lodge in 1998. Today, the collective memory attempts to highlight the heritage of slaves in Cape Town, a heritage that has long been obscured in the country's history. The focus is on the roots and ancestry of the Cape's mixed-race people. The route of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) slaves from Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Mozambique is compared to the transatlantic route to the plantations in America. In an alcove, on an interactive light column, inside rotating rings, are inscribed names given to the slaves by their owners: Welcome, Fortune, September, Titus, Cupid, Solomon or Moses... For generations, these slaves, once they arrived at the Slave Lodge, were sold like ordinary goods under a fig tree located at the back of the building, now on Spin Street. Finally, a multimedia room immerses the visitor in this dark and oppressive world. To better understand their daily life, go to Groot Constantia, an agricultural estate where they were largely exploited. The temporary exhibitions are interesting.

The National Art Gallery of South Africa is one of the fifteen or so Iziko museums. At the heart of this beautiful building, the permanent collection consists of paintings by South African, French, Dutch and Flemish artists, most of them from the 17th to 19th centuries. Part of the gallery, which is regularly renewed, exhibits numerous contemporary foreign works and photographs, as well as works by South African avant-garde artists.

One of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world (voted ^7th ), it is located at the foot of Table Mountain. Since its creation in 1913, botanists have planted about a quarter of the 20,000 plants recorded in southern Africa. One marvels at each grove. It would take days and days to explore in depth, all senses awake, the 36 hectares accessible (560 hectares in total). Those who are passionate about the park will learn about the work of the French botanist and poet Adelbert Von Chamisso, a native of Boncourt in Champagne, who made a world tour between 1815 and 1818. Don't miss the protae enclosure, the cycas amphitheater and the Fynbos walk. Ask for the brochure in French (10 R). Good restaurant, very attractive store, sale of plants, open-air sculpture exhibitions. You can also have a picnic on the spot, at the edge of a watering hole, on the well-mown green grass or on the benches installed all along the paths. The garden is also known for the Canopy Walkway, built to commemorate the ^100th anniversary of the botanical garden in 2013. The "Boomslang" is a 130-meter-long walkway nestled between more than 450 trees, discreetly located in the famous arboretum. It offers a breathtaking view of the garden, the mountain and beyond. Don't miss the summer concerts (December to March) on Sunday afternoons at 5pm. Note: the City Sightseeing blue line stops at the botanical garden.

Founded in 1825, this museum is the oldest in sub-Saharan Africa. Young and old alike will be seduced by the large marine mammals section, whose main attraction is a 20 m long blue whale skeleton, or the large dinosaur skeletons and the only stuffed quagga in the world. This species of Karoo zebra disappeared to general indifference in 1883, after the death of its last representative in an Amsterdam zoo.

The most exciting section of the exhibition is dedicated to the Bushmen. Taking note of the reservations expressed by the museum's current scientific team, you can admire the astonishing casts made in 1911. They look like living beings! That's the problem, because these casts were made by the museum's taxidermists on living individuals, supposedly representing "perfect savages".

Southern Africa is the richest region in the world in terms of rock paintings. Thousands of sites are listed, most of them inaccessible to the uninformed public. Fortunately, the authorities are gradually becoming aware of the importance of presenting and protecting this fabulous heritage. Imagine that the oldest paintings, discovered on rocks in the Apollo 11 cave in Namibia, are the work of artists who lived 27,000 years before our era, a hundred centuries before the painters of Lascaux! Constellation lovers, head to the Planetarium.

Built in 1871 at the corner of Burg Street and Long Street, this church was decorated in a Gothic Revival style that looks like it came out of Gotham City, you know, the dark city in Batman. It really contrasts with the rest of Green Market Square, white, colorful and cheerful! At the beginning of the 19th century, when Methodism came to South Africa, a movement that originated from Protestantism, the church was used as a school and then as a base for activists opposed to apartheid.

Its construction began in 1904, but was delayed by the Anglo-Boer War. The chapel was only started in 1908 and the transept was completed in 1936. The cathedral is not of great architectural interest, but note as you enter that Christ is black! Its historical interest: the first black Anglican Archbishop was ordained there in 1986, Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize 1984, President of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1996. It was from there again that he organized a mass demonstration of civil disobedience by 30,000 people on Grand Parade in 1989.

Schreuderhuis is one of the oldest housing estates in the country, the restored houses cover the period from 1709 to 1929. The tour is interesting and well designed. It starts with the most rustic house, the one of the first settlers, and continues with more and more bourgeois and richly decorated houses. You have to cross the street to see house number 3. It is a fun tour because this neighborhood is like an open-air museum that tells the story of the history and art of living over the years and the different classes of people.

If we are interested in history where we set our steps, then we will have to discover this museum. The Huguenots make all the history of the town of Franschhoek, since their arrival in the 17th century. In the Huguenot museum, you will see the Bible that Pierre Joubert would have brought out of France in a loaf of bread. He himself left La Motte-d'Aigues in Vaucluse at the age of 24. Then he arrived in South Africa after a detour through Geneva and Rotterdam. In 1700, he owned 16,000 vines and 300 sheep. The historical panels were donated by the management of the Archives de France.

A copy of the Edict of Nantes and a complete list of the Huguenots of South Africa, with their French region of origin, can be found. During Jacques Chirac's visit to South Africa, a plaque was placed to mark the 400th anniversary of the Edict of Nantes, "symbol of tolerance and freedom".

If by chance you have the soul of a researcher, you can even submit your genealogical questions to the museum's management, who will do research. The main building was constructed in 1967 according to the plans of "Saasveld", the mansion built in Cape Town in 1791 by the French architect Louis-Michel Thibault.

At the rear of the building is the headquarters of the learned society The Huguenot Society, which anyone can join in order to receive the annual historical bulletin. In September 2002, the museum hosted a day-long event for distinguished members of the International Huguenot Conference.

A wide strip of fine white sand and turquoise blue water. Closely watched by a team of spotters from the top of Boyes Drive. If sharks are landed, the alarm is sounded and a black flag with a shark on it is hoisted. We then have to get out of the water quickly. A red flag means that the sharks were here less than two hours ago or that the water is too murky to see very far. This is the beach for beginners and families, ideal for lessons. And let's not forget the brightly colored huts that make up the charm of the beach.

The must: Seal Island. 16 km from the coast, in the middle of the bay, the island is populated by thousands of birds and 75,000 playful seals. Sensitive souls should refrain, but in the morning, when squads of white sharks take a trip, we see these predators jumping to catch seals in flight. From March to November whales are also present. They improvise choreographies, spins and sometimes spectacular jumps. Then the dolphins love to follow the boats.

In the town of Franschoek, a monument in memory of the Huguenots, Protestants of French origin who immigrated to South Africa in the 17th century, was inaugurated in 1948. The work of sculptor Coert Steynberg depicts a female figure, carrying the Bible in her right hand and a broken chain in her left hand, which then represents freedom. A boat sails towards the tip of Africa and we see, gathered around the Book, the wheel of industry, the lyre of the arts, the grain and grapes of agriculture. As for the three arches, they symbolize the Trinity.

The sculptor Jan van Wijk would have liked to represent here the contribution of Europeans, Africans and Malays to the development of the Afrikaans language, which Afrikaners have long "brandished like a club against their enemies", in the words of the writer Coetzee. You should know that the highest column is supposed to represent Afrikaans, then next to it, the Republic, the terrace being Africa and the column on the left, the West. Come and get an idea on the spot, in front of this monument which seems to be a curious political vestige. But the view is superb..

World of Birds. On the Valley Road, visit the Monkey and Wildlife Sanctuary. For those who were not traumatized by Alfred Hitchcock's film, this is the largest bird garden in Africa. Here you will come across around 3,000 birds of 450 different species. It's a real spectacle. Also, the park welcomes more than thirty new world monkeys, small agile and curious monkeys that frolic and play in all directions, be careful with your personal belongings!

A broussarde plot in the heart of the Cape Peninsula, convenient for those who don't have time to go into Bush. Come to the encounter of antelopes and buffles buffles. Restaurant and shop.

Simon's Town is home to one of the largest naval bases in the southern hemisphere. It was the British who built the port facilities, which have been used since 1957 by the South African Navy. The headquarters of the South African Navy Force, installed in the fort, is coupled with the listening centre in Silvermine. Guided tours only take place between 10:30 and 15:30, but you can enter freely. Another "big ear" had been implanted by the South African Army in Bob Denard's pilot farm in the Comoros.

Over 140 hectares of semi-desert vegetation and 10 hectares of plantations. It's a special place, since it's the only garden of desert succulents in the entire southern hemisphere... and the whole of Africa. A marvellous spectacle of flowers in spring, bulbous plants in autumn and aloes in winter. Special trail to understand the differences between the "Great", the "Little" and the "Hantam" Karoo, because there are three of them! And the Shale Trail in the koppies.

Most of the buildings on Church Street are privately owned, but many remain in public ownership. The oldest is the Oude Kerk Volksmuseum, built in 1743, opposite the Tourist Office. Note the thick walls that give this former church a pleasant coolness. A few dozen meters further on, you'll find the house of Huguenot Danie Theron, right next to the Paddagang gardens, where lovers of greenery will be delighted to stop off. An island of freshness, nicknamed "frog alley", the rendezvous of frogs during the mating season.

"Connecting people, communities and cultures through the experience of art" is the mission of the Worcester Art Museum. Academic partnerships and art workshop classes are also organized. Visiting this interesting open-air folk arts and traditions museum allows you to learn about the ways of life in the surrounding countryside. You will understand the making of wool, tobacco or alcohol, all worked in "live". This stage is very well done for children.

The creation of the garden dates back to 1954 and the name Sheilam corresponds to the acronyms of the first names of the children of the first owners. Twenty-four years after acquiring the premises, at the age of 84, they pass the hand to the current owners of this magical place. The garden is first and foremost a company that grows and exports cacti all over the world. There is no ideal time to visit the garden, the flowering periods are not the same according to the plants and sometimes they bloom only during one day! In the summer, it is best to visit the garden in the morning.

The former presbytery of 1714, formerly the Huguenot Museum, now houses Dutch antiquities and objects that trace Paarl's history. So the history certainly, but also the daily life of the inhabitants. It would not be surprising to find in this museum a citrus press or a vegetable grater relegated to the title of antique and good to be exhibited! It's always interesting when you get somewhere to start with the museum of the history of the city, it can help to understand a lot of things and to go through it differently.

The legendary Vin de Constance has been produced again since 1986, thanks to the talent of winemaker Ross Gower and a double miracle of nature: the Muscat de Frontignan vines used are clones of those imported from France in 1656 by Governor Jan van Riebeeck. Every year, before the grape harvest, harriers leave the Siberian plains and come to spend a few months in the Constantia valley, protecting the vines from the looting birds. The resistance of the vines and the threat of birds of prey have made it possible to revive the wine that accompanied Napoleon in his exile from St. Helena. A sumptuous liqueur ordered in the 19th century by all the courts of Europe. Unlike Sauternes, there is no noble rot but the grapes ripen for a very long time on the vine, hence the concentration of sugar and fruity aromas. One month before the harvest, all the leaves are removed to allow the grapes to breathe and be exposed to the sun. In some years, up to half of the grapes are sacrificed in order to give the vines more reserves to draw from the soil. Once harvested, the Muscat de Frontignan, which is extremely ripe, is a delicate grape to press and requires a long fermentation. This is where all the cellar master's know-how comes into play. The wine is then aged for four years in French oak barrels. At the entrance to the estate, the tomb of Sheik Abdurahman Matebe shah, the last sultan of Malacca, he lived in Constantia until his death around 1681.

You probably did not come to Cape Town to tour the factories! But Koeberg has a little perfume of scandal that excites curiosity. By building these facilities in 1976, would the French companies Alstom and Framatome have contributed to the development of military nuclear power in South Africa? Was there actually in 1981 a secret contract that provides for Framatome's delivery of enriched uranium valued at $ 250 million? Today, Koeberg, the only nuclear power station in Africa, rotates like a clock (atomic) and it is… Electricité de France that monitors security! How diable the Greenpeace commando did to hang a band on the reactor at the Earth Summit in August 2002. You can walk through the wilderness reserve and take a look at the Visitors Centre to learn that Koeberg provides 6,5% of the country's energy needs.

The very informative road notebook of Vincent Garrigues.

Julie has been accredited as a guide in Cape Town: the city centre, Franschoek, Stellenbosch, Constantia, Camps Bay, Muizenberg Beach... The city, the beach, the vineyards or the mountains: Cape Town and its region have no more secrets for Julie For a few hours or for the whole day, let yourself be guided. Her speech will take you through history and anecdotes, with an almost theatrical sense of humour and enthusiasm. Specialized in families, she knows the best places to travel with your children. Julie won us over.

Cape Town is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city with many opportunities for guided tours. The Cape Town Partnership offers guided tours to discover the city's different neighborhoods and learn more about its history and culture. Their website provides all the information you need to book a tour. Whether you want to explore the bustling streets of the city center, discover the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic coast or visit the surrounding vineyards, the Cape Town Partnership has a tour to suit your interests.

Built between 1755 and 1761 in the Cape Rococo style, the house housed the Senate, the Magistrates' Court and the police. The silver trowel used to lay the foundation stone can be seen in the museum! The Old Town House was converted into the Town Hall until it was moved to the new City Hall in 1905. It now houses a collection from the golden age of Dutch painting, from the 16th to the 17th century. In its tree-lined courtyard, there is a pleasant tea room.

This 1801 theatre was sold to the Dutch Protestant church in 1839 and became a place of worship, exchange, school for young people and a community centre for slaves. The church was attended by Christians as well as Muslims from Bo Kaap and District Six. The cellars of the church were rented to wine merchants. The graffiti reads: "There is a spirit above and a spirit below, the spirit above is that of happiness, the spirit below is that of unhappiness, the spirit above is divine, the spirit below is that of wine! »

The first gallery to move from its tiny space to a huge design space in a warehouse in City Bowl! The exhibitions there are generally very well chosen. Soon followed by many other galleries, "What if the World" was selected in 2007 as one of the 50 emerging galleries in the world by the very select Contemporary Magazine, because of its rapid development which attracted many collectors. The gallery has an artist's studio in the center, which can be visited by appointment only.

When the father of Islam in Tuan Gourou, South Africa, died in 1807, the movement was divided into two congregations and the house of Jan van Boughies was transformed into a prayer room. However, according to the legend, the difficult character of Jan would have pushed practitioners to enter the first mosque. The name of this one was changed and now refers to the palm tree that grows in front of its entrance. On Buitengracht, Nurul Islam Mosque, founded by the son of Tuan Guru in 1844. “Correct dress required.”

Between the Old Synagogue, the first one built in South Africa in 1863, and the Great Synagogue, built in 1905, as well as the Albow Centre, which includes the Cape Town Holocaust Centre and the Israel Abrahams Hall: the museum is a futuristic design building where the numerous interactive installations tell the story of the Jewish families who arrived in South Africa in the different centuries and of their integration in the colony. Coffee and gift shop inside the complex.

This house was bought by Irma Stern's parents in 1927. The South African painter of German origin lived here for almost 40 years until her death in 1966. The house is decorated with many handicrafts that she collected during her travels in Africa. Her canvases, plated on the walls repainted in red, green or blue, are displayed in the living room, the dining room and her studio. During the visit, one discovers the astonishing and colourful work of an adventurous woman who dared to travel in Africa, Zanzibar, Senegal and Congo during the Second World War, and who brought back portraits, landscapes and illustrated travel diaries. In Zanzibar, Irma Stern describes Indian women in purdah and Arab men in turban and white dresses, as well as the abundance of fresh produce in the colourful markets. You have to go there to admire African Woman with Children, Rich Old Arab or The Hunt, painted in 1926. It is also an opportunity to discover part of Mrs. Stern's collection of primitive art, the centrepiece of which is a caryatid altar seat from the school of the African master of Buli, fashioned, according to experts, between 1840 and 1860. There are no more than twenty such objects in the world, counting the pieces on display at the British Museum and the MET in New York. In 2011, a painting by the artist was acquired in London in an auction for about 5 million dollars! This is marked as a record for a South African artist.

This graceful building, built in 1777, is today considered to be one of the most complete examples of an 18th century bourgeois house, and is one of the few buildings from this period in the city. This is evidenced by the rococo sculptures above the doorway by the German Anton Anreith. In the past, this building was the tax centre of the VOC. Today it houses the William Fehr Collection, a South African businessman and art collector, part of which is also on display in the Castle of Good Hope.

The Vrolijkheid reserve is located five minutes from the village of McGregor. In the midst of this vast nature, you can enjoy hiking on the 3 km Heron Trail or the 18 km Rooikat in the Elandsberg. The walk from McGregor to Greyton, about 15 kilometres, is a very pretty walk. You can walk to the waterfall halfway along the trail to get a cooler feeling in the hot South African sun, especially in the summer.

Built in 1853, it is the oldest house in the town and has been home to the Montagu Museum for over forty-five years. In the Joubert House, one can see the memories of the family of General Joubert, hero of the Boer story, descendant of the Provençal Huguenot Pierre Joubert, as well as a very original collection of medicinal plants. This is the moment to bring all the traditional preparations of the Hottentots out of oblivion. A nice jump into history, but also the opportunity to discover the beautiful temporary exhibitions which change very regularly.