Travel Guide Leydsdorp

Very close to Gravelotte is Leydsdorp. In 1888, rumours of gold turned the heads of adventurers of all stripes. A new deposit was discovered by the geologist Roderick Murchison, a harvest of carats within reach of shovels. This was to last a good ten years, enough to create a small social life in the area, with its bars, hotel, shops and newspaper, The Leydsdorp Leader. In the days of the rush, the camps were called Great Bonanza, Dirty Dick or French Bob. Today we visit Leydsdorp, the former French Bob Camp, the little town organized around the amazing Frenchman Auguste Robert, the local star.