Paarl, town, Western Cape province, South Africa, east of Cape Town, on the Groot-Berg River between the Paarl Mountain and the Drakenstein Range. Settled in 1688 by Huguenots, who introduced viticulture, it is still known for its vineyards and wine making; it also produces citrus fruits, tobacco, and olives. Manufactures include cigarettes, textiles, and processed foods. Paarl is an educational centre, and the movement to recognize Afrikaans as a national and written language originated there. Pop. (2001) town, 82,711; urban agglom., 155,267.