Paarl Travel Guide

Introduction

33km (20 miles) NW of Franschhoek; 56km (35 miles) E of Cape Town

Paarl is named after the great granite rocks that loom above the town -- the first European party to visit the area in 1657 watched the dawn sun reflecting off the glistening boulders after a night of rain, and named it Peerlbergh (Pearl Mountain). These 500-million-year-old domes are one of the world's largest granite outcrops, second only to Ayers Rock in Australia. The town's large size makes it a less attractive destination than the chichi village of Franschhoek and the oak-lined avenues of Stellenbosch, but there are a number of excellent wine estates to visit (get a map from the information bureau), and Main Street, with its 2km (1 1/4-mile) stretch of beautifully preserved buildings, is worth taking a leisurely drive along. Most visitors also find a visit to the Taal Monument (the large phallic sculpture clearly visible on the slopes of Paarl Mountain) worthwhile -- the views of the valley and False...