Many of these buildings are of considerable architectural merit, the material chiefly used in their construction being granite from the Paarl and red brick.
More settlers were landed from time to time, including a number of orphan girls from Amsterdam, and during1688-1689the colony was greatly strengthened by the arrival of some three hundred Huguenots (men, women and children), who were located at Stellenbosch, Drakenstein, Frenchhoek and Paarl.
West of the town the Paarl Berg rises from the plain.
The berg is crowned by three great granite boulders, known as the Paarl, Britannia and Gordon Rock.
Paarl is a thriving agricultural and viticultural centre, among its industries being the manufacture of wine and brandy, wagon and carriage building and harness making.