Being a frightful Francophile, it’s probably unsurprising that I am rather fond of Franschhoek. My association with this charming Boland village goes way back. (It is of course obligatory to call it a ‘village’ as it’s far too charming and elegant for the rather ordinary moniker of ‘town’.)
Now I’m not going to say how far back, as I’ve been lying about my age for years… um, decades. Let’s just say that I remember when the high street had a co-op where you could get anything from bully beef to bullets. And the hair dresser in the pink rondavel specialised in perms.
Much has changed over the years. Well actually pretty much everything has changed. But I still love visiting. Who wouldn’t, the place is one big indulgence – a market on the church square every weekend, truckloads of décor shops, restaurants galore and of course nearby wine farms like Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Grande Provence, Leopard’s Leap and La Motte.
Franschhoek 10-16 Dec 2014: Late-night shopping, restaurant and wine farm specials, discount on accommodation and more.
This December, from the 10th to the 16th, this lovely town village is putting on her best dress and throwing a bit of a party with wine farms, shops and restaurants pulling out all the stops. Take in a wine farm or two, do some late night shopping at the likes of Masquerade (it’s full of the most exquisite ‘French’ things for the home…), have a fine dinner, take in the high street Christmas-light display, then wind your way to nearby accommodation. Many guesthouses in town are offering discounts for this period. Check it out here.
where
The R45 will get you there
when
10-16 December 2014
what time
Early until late!
more
About this article: I only write about places and things I actually really like. Should I receive complimentary meals/tickets/diamonds, this will always be revealed. I’m not in the rubbishing business, so if something is not my cup of tea, I’ll simply not write about it (but I’ll keep the diamonds). Therefore this is not so much a review, as a personal recommendation of places and things I like. Living in Cape Town, I focus mainly on the Western Cape, and I can only cover so many places (there is that troublesome thing of trying to make a living, after all). This is where I need your help. Please share your favourite markets, festivals, restaurants and wine tasting experiences from all over the country with others by using the ‘COMMENTS’ section below.
Leave A Comment