Franschoek is one of those 'quaint' places that every country has. Popular with locals and foreigners, Franschoek is about an hours drive out of Cape Town. The place is famed for it's Huguenot links (with dedicated memorial) - and thus, a quasi spiritual mecca for many South Africans. There is a museum that documents the beginnings of European involvement in the Cape where many South Africans of French origin can trace their family trees directly to those who landed in 1652, all of 354 years ago.
As a tribute to its French past (albeit somewhat tainted by exile and persecution), Franschoek liberally uses red, white and blue in abundance and is not shy of naming everything possible in French, or after connections with France. Of course the fact that the area is also big in wine helps cement the whole French feel. It can feel somewhat like overkill - in the 'oh, this must be the French area of the world in a theme-park' vein - but it is still well worth a visit for the spectacular scenery.
There is a very very busy chocolate shop, so be prepared to stand your ground for your turn to be serverd. Otherwise, there is a choice of jewelry, art, wine and local curio shops scattered between genteel (and not so genteel) restaurants on the main road. Eat, shop, sightsee and be merry.
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