Le Bonheur - formerly known as Oude Weltevreden ("Well Satisfied") - was
an important venue for travellers in the Cape, offering fresh spring
water and an outspan area at the major junction of Cape Town, Paarl,
Stellenbosch and Malmesbury.
The history of the estate dates
back to the late 18th century when it was granted by Lord Charles
Somerset to its first owner, Jacob Isak De Villiers. The De Villiers
family was among the first 200 French Huguenots to arrive at the Cape in
1689 after a five-month journey on the ship, the Zion.
Their
homestead, built in the H-shaped Cape Dutch style, is a classic example
of the architecture of the time. Today, the stately manor house,
complete with its original doors and floors, has again been painted in
subtle ice-cream hues typical of the day.
Le
Bonheur has been completely redeveloped to become one of the leading
estates in the winelands of the Cape and draws wine lovers who are
content to sip fine quality wines, and enjoy the seemingly timeless
atmosphere of the Estate.