Paarl is one of the best-preserved historic streets in the country.

THE Main Street of Paarl is one of the best-preserved historic streets in the country with many original buildings representing the most pouplar architectural styles of the last 250 years, still intact and beautifully preserved.

The interesting juxtaposition of the different styles dat developed as the town expanded, interspersed with some of the original farms, lends an air of comfortable established country living to an otherwise vibrant commercial town.

In a newly relased pocket guide to one of the most historic sections of Paarl, the visitor is guided on a walk through main street, enjoying a glimpse into the heart of the earliest part of town.

Paarl is the third oldest permanent settlement in South Africa, established as a farming community in 1687 when 23 farmers were given land along the Berg River.

The booklet explains that the Valley was named after a Dutch East India Company commissioner, Hendrik Adriaan van Reede tot Drakenstein, who visited the cape in 1685.

His name was also given to the mountains surrounding the valley.

The walk starts at Het Gesticht church (112 Main Street) and ends at the Paarl Museum (301 Main Street).

The booklet, popular with tourists, is available from Paarl Tourism and Hout Street Gallery at R30.