Page 208 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

206  THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN C APE

8 Paarl VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

In 1687, farms were allocated to early Dutch colonists in the Practical Information
pretty Berg River Valley, which is flanked to the north by Paarl Road map: B5. On the N1.
* 150,000. n 216 Main Rd, 021
Mountain. The name Paarl comes from the Dutch peerlbergh 872 4842. Open 8am–5pm Mon–
(pearl mountain), given to the outcrops by early Dutch Fri, 10am–1pm Sat, Sun & public
explorer Abraham Gabbema when he spotted the three hols. _ Nederburg Wine Auction
smooth domes after a rain shower. Mica chips embedded in (Apr). ∑ paarlonline.com
the granite glistened in the sun, giving it the appearance of a Transport
shiny pearl. The town of Paarl was established in 1690. k Cape Town 56 km (35 miles)
SW. £ Paarl Station, Lady Grey
St. @ Shell petrol station, cnr
Main Rd and South St.

old massif is the world’s second-
largest granite outcrop, after Uluru
in Australia, and can be climbed
with the aid of handholds.
The entrance to the Paarl
Mountain Nature Reserve also
The three granite domes on the outskirts of Paarl lies on Jan Phillips Drive. From
here, visitors can gain access
Exploring Paarl of stink wood chairs, a Dutch linen to the Afrikaans Language
Large agricultural, financial and press and yellowwood armoires. Monument (Afrikaanse
manufacturing companies are An excellent porce lain collection Taalmonument). Designed by
based in Paarl, making it a major features Imari, Kang Hsi, VOC and the architect Jan van Wyk, it was
player in the industry of the Canton pieces, and the kitchen is constructed around 1975, and is
Western Cape. Its many tree- crammed with authentic utensils a tribute to the official recognition
lined streets and graceful gabled and furniture. Temporary displays of the Afrikaans language 100
homes, however, lend it a certain on a wide field of related themes, years earlier. The imposing
country charm. Paarl’s 11-km such as the Khoi (see pp50–51), monument is composed of three
(7-mile) Main Street, which runs are arranged regularly. domes and three small pillars, all
along the Berg River, is Just off Paarl’s Main Road of vary ing height and size, as well
shaded by oak trees and lies Laborie Estate, first as a tall obelisk and a soaring
makes a very good granted to a Huguenot column. Each of the elements
starting point from which settler in 1688. In 1774 it acknowledges the linguistic
to explore the town. was acquired by influence and contribution of a
A number of well- Hendrick Louw, who different culture.
preserved 18th- and subsequent ly built
19th-cen tury Cape the Cape Dutch Afrikaans Language Monument
Dutch and Georgian homestead on it. Signposted from Main St. Tel 021 863
houses are found along Today, Laborie is best- 0543. Open Apr–Nov: 8am–5pm daily;
both sides of Main known for producing Dec–Mar: 8am–8pm daily. & 7 -
Street, some of the Antique cupboard, Méthode Cap Classique ∑ taalmuseum.co.za
later ones displaying Paarl Museum sparkling wines.
marked Victorian
architectural influences. E Paarl Museum
La Concorde, a stately 303 Main Rd. Tel 021 872 2651.
structure in the Neo-Classical Open 9am–4pm Mon–Fri, 9am–1pm
style built in 1956, is the head- Sat. Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. &
quarters of the Kooperatiewe  Laborie Estate
Wijnbouwers Vereeniging (KWV), Taillefer St, off Main Rd. Tel 021 807
the Cooperative Wine Farmers 3390. Open wine tastings: 9am–5pm
Association. The KWV was a daily. Closed 1 Jan, 25 Dec. 8 book
controlling body which aimed in advance. & 7 0
to administer wine pro duction, ∑ laboriewines.co.za
check the quality and develop
export markets. It has since been Environs
privatized. Further along Main Just off Main Street, opposite La
Street, the Paarl Museum Concorde, is Jan Phillips Drive, an
presents his torical aspects of the 11-km (7-mile) route to Paarl
town. Exhibits include a collection Mountain. The 500 million-year- The Afrikaans Language Monument, Paarl
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp385–6 and pp402–3

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