Photographers Nathalie Bardin and Jean-Marc Lederman take us on a tour of the Cape West Coast, where they settled years ago.
This cosmopolitan city with some landscapes that will blow away your mind is to be seen at least once in your life. Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City, is the perfect place for people looking to escape from their daily life. Thirty minutes is all it takes to get out of the city, in a completely different environment.
Even though a detour in the CBD is a must, summer isn’t the best time of the year to spend your entire stay there, due to the massive tourist season.
Living in Cape Town is wonderful as you are near everything. If you feel like going away for the afternoon or just a morning, it’s the place for you. One of our favourite drive, quite short and very close to town, is the scenic Chapman’s Peak drive that takes you to Noordhoek. When getting in Noordhoek, stop at The Foodbarn for a typical French lunch or dinner in a charming old renovated barn. From there, you can keep on driving to Muizenberg, famous for its coloured beach cabins, and if you don’t feel like surfing, drive an extra five minutes to Kalk Bay where you can hunt for antiques.
If you feel like going further, Cape Point is a must see place, and on your way back, be sure to stop by Boulder Beach, and have a swim with the very social penguins. A single experiment. But if you were to ask us about our favourite escaping place around Cape Town, we would tell with no doubt the West of Cape Town, where you can stay for a few days. Leave the city in the morning, drive to Riebeek Kasteel for lunch, and then stop for the night at Couvaloup Guest House, a secret spot in Hopefield, this inland area is spectacular.
Further West, Langebaan is perfect for nautic sports, and ChurchHaven, where you can rent a boat house on the peaceful lagoon is a must do experience, where you will totally out of this world. On your way back, be sure to stop by Paternoster, only two hours away from Cape Town, to have a look at the beautiful architecture of a fishermen’s village that is still untouched, before heading back to the madness of the city…
Photos & texts : Nathalie Bardin – Jean-Marc Lederman
Best adresses in Cape Town area
- The Foodbarn: Tel: +27 (0)21 789 1390
- Bistro Bizerca
- Guest house Couvaloup
- Hotel the 12 Apotres
