Paarl

Paarl part of the Cape Wine Lands just 60 km from Cape Town

Paarl, a mere 60 kilometers from Cape Town and less than an hour by car from the golden beaches of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, is renowned not only for its illustrious past and unrivaled scenic beauty, but also presents holiday makers an exciting tourist destination.

Paarl is one of the oldest towns in South Africa and particularly known for its mountain or "Paarl Rock". The huge granite rock is formed by three rounded outcrops that make up Paarl Mountain and is the second largest granite outcrop in the world.

Paarl boasts a unique attraction in the fact that the foundations of a new language, Afrikaans, combined heritage of Africa and the European mother countries, were laid here. The Monument to the Afrikaans language on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, the Language Museum and the Afrikaans Language Route through Dal Josaphat are living memorials to this achievement.

Attractions in Paarl

• Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, especially noted for the enormous 500 million year-old granite rock (Paarl, Bretagne & Gordon) that gives Paarl its name.
• The Afrikaans Language Monument, on the slopes of Paarl Mountain and the Afrikaans Language Museum situated in the town.
• The Paarl Museum is a must for its Cape Antiques and contemporary exhibitions of Paarl.
• The Ikhwezi Centre is the home to Bhabhathane weavers and artists from Mbekweni.
• In the Arboretum there are 700 indigenous and exotic species of trees. A footbridge across the Berg River gives access to paved walkways on the river bank.
• The Bird Sanctuary along the banks of the Berg River features 136 species of birds. Species include the beautiful Malachite Kingfisher, Maccoa Duck, African Marsh Harrier & African Fish eagle.
• Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm
• Butterfly World
• Lion Park

‘The Pearl of South Africa’

Situated between the second largest granite rock in the world and the majestic Du Toit’s Kloof Mountains, Paarl is often referred to as the ‘Pearl’ of the Berg River Valley. It was in 1657 that Abraham Gabbema, a pioneer explorer, first visited the area in search of new meat resources for the settlement at the Cape. As far as could be established, he and his small company were the first Europeans to find their way into this beautifull valley of the Berg River. He named the granite dome, glittering brilliantly in the sun after a rain shower, the ‘Peerleberg’ (Pearly Mountain). Some 30 years later on October 16, 1687, Commander Simon van der Stel visited the area accompanied by the first Free Burghers to whom farms were granted in the area. He called the area Drakenstein, although the name, ‘De Paarl’,was already established in common usage. The town of Paarl itself was established in 1720 with the building of the first church.

Paarl Mountain, aptly called ‘Tortoise’ Mountain by the Khoikhoi, was declared a National Monument in 1963 – one of the few mountains to have been proclaimed as such.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Cape Town 60 km, Airport 69 km, Hermanus 120 km, Worcester 48 km, Clanwilliam 215 km, Mossel Bay 368 km, George 395 km, Knysna 445 km, Plettenberg Bay 497 km, Oudtshoorn 365 km, Montagu 127 km, Ceres 80 km, Johannesburg 1345 km.

Altitude: 120 m above sea level

Average Temperatures

Winter 14°c; summer 29°c

HISTORICAL VIEW

Afrikaans Language Monument (Paarl Mountain)

Paarl played an important role in the development of the Afrikaans language. The first issue of ‘Die Afrikaanze Patriot’, the first Afrikaans newspaper, was published here. The Afrikaans Language Monument commemorates the origin and growth of Afrikaans.

Bethel Building

The oldest surviving building in Paarl. Reference dates back to 1710 and the floor plan has not been altered since 1756.

Gideon Malherbe Museum (Afrikaanse Taal Museum)

The museum is housed in the restored homestead Westfallen, where the first copies of Die Afrikaanze Patriot were printed on 15 January 1876. Exhibits cover the history of the language.

La Concorde

Headquarters of the KWV, was completed in 1958 and strands on one of the first five farms within the present urban area of Paarl, granted to the French Huguenots by Simon van der Stel

Paarl Museum

Built in the Cape Dutch style, the museum houses a fine collection of Cape antiques, including silver, glass, porcelain, brass copper, stinkwood and yellowwood furniture. The museum is housed in the old Parsonage, built in 1786. The museum was formely known as the Oude Pastorie Museum.

The Huguenot Church / Strooidak kerk (1805)

Also known as the Strooidak kerk (Thatched roof church). Besides the Groote Kerk in Cape Town, this church is the oldest church still in use in the country. Piet Retief, one of the leaders of the Great Trek, was baptized in this church. Consecrated on 28 April 1805.

The KWV Cellar Complex

These cellars are amongst the largest in the world and cover some 10 ha. It boasts the five largest vats in the world under one roof with the historic oak vat Big Bill, the Cathedral Cellar, and an exhibition hall comprehensively expounding this story of wine.

NATURE

Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve

Few towns have been blessed as Paarl has with an area of unspoilt natural beauty at it’s doorstep. Massive rounded granite rocks set among ancient wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees dominate the picturesque landscape with it’s exquisite fynbos vegetation. A large variety of protea species are found in the reserve. Also to be seen is the endemic silver tree. The water in the storage dams contributes to the tranquility. There are several viewpoints offering panoramic views towards Table Mountain and the sea in the west and the Boland Mountains in the east. A network of paths makes it an ideal area in which to walk and relax in nature, within a few minutes of the bustle of everyday urban life. Local schools have laid out the Klipkers Nature Trail for which a guidebook is available. The circular route starts at the Language Monument and takes roughly two hours to complete. The policy of the advisory committee and the City Council is to retain the unspoilt natural beauty of the nature reserve. Conservation of the indigenous plant and animal life involves among other things, eradicating exotic plants and implementing a programme of controlled burning. The Jan Phillips Mountain Road as well as the road leading to the Bretagne Rocks with it’s spectacular viewpoints are kept in good repair. On the plateau, roads are not intensively maintained, mainly to discourage motor traffic and to retain it as an unspoilt walking area.

History

According to a Crown Grant issued on 2 December 1838, Paarl Mountain, 3380 morgen (2895 ha), was given in free hereditary tenure to Daniel van Ryneveld and his successors in office, who served as chief magistrates of the Paarl district. Paarl Mountain would function as a commonage for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of the town and the Field Cornetcy of ‘Agter die Paarl’ (behind Paarl). Although the municipality has managed to commonage on behalf of the inhabitants of Paarl since 1882, the idea that it should obtain full property rights to the land, so that the mountain could be developed as a nature reserve, arose only in 1918. This ideal could not be realized immediately. However, the city council, by agreement, bought out the water rights to the Victoria Stream in 1881 and 1893, the Platklip Steam in 1914. Three dams, the Victoria, Bethel and Nantes Dams, with a combined capacity of approximately 1080 m / litres, were built on the mountain. Paarl Mountain was declared a National Monument in October 1963, and the municipality was assigned the task of developing it as a nature reserve. On 13 October 1970 the ownership of the mountain commonage, with the exception of the site of the Afrikaans Language Monument, was transferred to the municipality in terms of the Paarl Mountain Act. Subsequently a nature reserve was demarcated and proclaimed. It is 1910 ha in extent, and consists mostly of the plateau on top of the mountain. An advisory committee was established in 1979 to furnish the city council with advice on the management and control of the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve.

The Three Granite Rocks

Paarl Mountain reaches an altitude of 654 metres above sea level and is especially noted for the three enormous granite rocks known as the Paarl, Bretagne and Gordon Rocks. Their age is estimated at 500 million years and what is visible today has been exposed by erosion. The old cannon which announced the arrival of merchant ships in the Cape can still be seen on Paarl Mountain and is within easy walking distance of the mountain road. The climb up Bretagne Rock is more difficult, but there is an sturdy chain assisting climbers up the last inclune. On a clear day the visitor is rewarded with stunning views over False Bay and Table Bay, with Table Mountain and Lion’s Head in the distance. Centuries ago these rocks served as landmarks for nomadic Hottentots and it was known as Skilpad Mountain (Tortoise Mountain). The name ‘Diamant en Paarlberg’ (Diamond and Pearl Mountain) came into being shortly after the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck at the Cape. Bailiff Abraham Gabbema was sent into the interior in 1657 to trade with the Hottentots and gave the rocks these names. It cannot be said with any certainty when the names were changed. Bretagne must surely derive it’s name from the French province and Gordon Rock was renamed after Colonel Robert Jacob Gordon who was in command of the British troops at the Cape from 1780 – 1795. Paarl Mountain, with the town laid out on it’s eastern slopes, is one of the few mountains in the country to have been declared a National Monument. Although not as tall as some of the other mountains in the region, it is one of the most beautiful in the Boland. The Jan Phillips Mountain Drive winds along it’s eastern slope for approximately 11 km, offering unimpeded views of the town and the Groot Drakenstein mountain range.

Meulwater Wild Flower Reserve

Directly below the two massive granite rocks is a wild flower reserve, laid out in 1931 by a group of ladies who established the Paarl Beautifying Society at that time. The Meulwater mountain stream runs through the garden. Here the visitor can get an idra of the impressive variety of plants on Paarl Mountain.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

The Festival of the Vine – Early March

Paarl Nouveau Festival – April

Nederburg Auction – April

Boland Agricultural Show – April

Chrysanthemum Show (Town Hall) – May

Boland Travel & Leisure Expo – August

Music Festival – October

Bien Donne Farmers Day – November

Arboretum

Stroll along the Berg River where more than 650 species of trees can be viewed.

Art Route Clementina van der Walt Ceramic Studio

Brightly coloured tableware, cutlery, jewellery, wooden utensils and metalwork, embroidery, basketry, printed fabric and woven textiles.

Hout Street Gallery

Dealers in art, sculpture, ceramics and glassware. Also an extensive range of pewter and stainless steel tableware, soft furnishings, gifts and handwoven tableware.

De Kraal Gallery

Ikhwezi Centre

Experience the culture of Africa. Home to Bhabhathane weavers. Also sangomas, artists, crafts and musical events by prior arrangement.

Simunye Art Foundation

On Nic Taylor Nut Farm. Various artwork by talented young people.

Tanberan Gallery Antiques

Bien Donnè

Juice tours, Orchard Tours and Herb Tours – Bien Donnè has one of the finest herb gardens in the area.

Butterfly World

The largest butterfly park in South Africa where butterflies fly freely in the beautiful garden. Craft shop, Coffee garden, Open 7 days per week, 09:00 – 17:00 (June – August 10:00 – 16:00).

Classical Music Evenings

A Chamber Music Winter Programme is held annually at Nederburg Estate. Laborie, Simonsvlei, Boland and Paarl Rock also offer light musical evenings

Fynbos Tours

Guided tours on Paarl Mountain

Drakenstein Lion Park

De Vonds Snake Centre

Heen en Weer Ostrich Farm

Informative tours, ostrich meat tastings and sales. Curio shop and restaurant. Organic garden produce. Open seven days a week

La Bonheur Crocodile Ranch

Guided tours every half hour. Curio shop, Cafeteria. Open seven days per week, 09:00 – 17:00

Lanners Landing

Falcon display once a month.

Old Mill Theatre

Well known South African and local performers

Paarl Vintner (Wine Route)

Picnics

For an unforgettable picnic visist Laborie, Nederburg, Boland, Nelson’s Creek or Bien Donnè.

Protea and Fynbos Sales

Scenic Route Jan Phillips Drive (11 km)

This route climbs Paarl Mountain to the foot of Gordon’s amd Bretagne rocks (two large granite outcrops) offering magnificent views. On the way up one passes the Millwaters Wild Flower Garden with it’s many indigenous trees, vygies and gazanias. The reserve is home to a rare species of fynbos.

Walks through Paarl

Waterblommetjie Festival

Associated with a popular ‘waterblommetjie’ harvesting competition at Schoongezicht in Dal Josaphat.

ACTIVITIES

Bird Watching

Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve

Over 140 species in the Paarl are, including the magnificent birds of prey – Black Eagle, Cape Eagle Owl and Peregrine Falcon. Magnificent fynbos species, including the demure and brilliantly coloured Cape Sugarbird.

Paarl Bird Sanctuary

Haven for birding enthusiasts.

Fishing De Poort (Trout)

Du Toitskloof Resort (Trout)

Paarl Mountain

Three dams (bass and trout). Permits required. Available from Paarl Municipality or Cape Nature Conservation.

Hiking

Various trail in the area

Groot Baviaans Day Walk

9 km / 1 day circular route, average grading.

Kagga Kamma Day Walk (Paarl Mountain)

4 km / 3 hours circular route, educational trail (Brochure available)

Limietberg Day Walk

Various trails ranging from 4 km – 8 km, average grading

Limietberg: Boland Hiking Trail

36 km / 2 days circular trail, difficult grading, overnight hut at Happy Valley.

Limietkloof Hiking Trail

36 km / 2 days, one way, overnight facilities at Happy Valley.

Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve Day Walks

A network of trails, guide available, easy to difficult grading

Horse Trails Diemersfontein

Offer guided rides along the Hawekwa mountains. Picnic in the mountains, sundowners and lavish breakfasts available.

Kagga Kamma Horse Trail

Various routes, easy grading

Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve Horse Trails

Network of trails, easy to difficult grading, guide available.

Hot air Ballooning

Winelands Ballooning offers hot air balloon flights over the beautiful Berg River Valley and Paarl. November to April only

KWV Berg River Canoe Marathon

Paarl is the starting point of this annual event – July

Paarl Boxing Day Sport – December

Mountain Biking / Cycling

Enjoy Paarl on bicycle. Bike hire – Village Cycles

Donkerkloof

This trail begins in the hairpin bend on the Paarl side of the old Du Toitskloof Pass. Hosting a variety of birds and during midsummer, beautiful disas and new year lilies are in full bloom on the mountain slopes and alongside the waterfalls.

Misaspoort

4 km. this trail is on the Paarl side of Du Toitskloof Pass, and leads to the Italian Cross at Huguenot Kop, which was erected by Italian prisoners of war.

Kagga Kamma Mountain Bike Trail

Various cycling routes, overnight facilities available.

Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve Moutnain Biking Trail

Network of cycling routes, 4 km to 20 km, easy to difficult grading, guide available. Some routes suitable for family outings. Map available.

Pony Carts and Rides

Accommodation in and around Paarl