Parys is a town on the south bank of the Vaal River located on the R59, 50 km’s from Sasolburg, 120 km’s south-west of Johannesburg, 15 km’s north-east of Vredefort and 50 km’s south-east of Potchefstroom. It was laid out on the farm Klipspruit in 1876, proclaimed in 1882 and became a municipality in 1887. Probably named after Paris in France, the Afrikaans form of which is Parys, at a suggestion of a German surveyor named Schilbach, who had participated in the siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War.
Parys is a gateway to both North West and Gauteng provinces.
The Parys District has unique natural and environmental assets, like the Vaal River, with several islands in the proximity of Parys, and the Vredefort Dome, that present exceptional tourism potential. Parys has a well-developed airfield that supports commercial and tourism development in the area. It has a strong commercial component and provides a wide range of services regarding health, education and professional services to the district.
The traditional economic sector has predominantly been agricultural in nature with the following produce on offer; corn, tobacco, sorghum and livestock such as cattle and sheep. The tourism sector has gained increasing potential for the town and surrounding areas.
The geology of the Vredefort Dome Impact Structure, situated near Parys and Vredefort in the Free State Province of South Africa and in the centre of the Witwatersrand Basin, is absolutely unique and of great interest to geologists all over the world.
Vredefort Dome, approximately 120 km south-west of Johannesburg, is a representative part of a larger meteorite impact structure, or astrobleme. Dating back 2,023 million years, it is the oldest astrobleme yet found on Earth. With a radius of 190 km, it is also the largest and the most deeply eroded. Vredefort Dome bears witness to the world’s greatest known single energy release event, which had devastating global effects including, according to some scientists, major evolutionary changes.
Parys falls under the Ngwathe Local Municipality is a Category B municipality situated in the northern part of the Fezile Dabi District in the Free State.
Parys Tourism
Parys is part of the Lion Rote in the Free State.
If you want a taste of everything that is typically “Free State”, the Lion Route has it – from culture to nature to history.
The towns along the Lion Route are:
- Deneysville
- Sasolburg
- Parys
- Vredefort
- Kroonstad
There are more than 200 plus different bird species in and around Parys.
PARYS – YOUR FREE STATE PARADISE
The beautiful town of Parys is situated on the banks of the Vaal River, and has become a firm favourite for both art and adventure lovers. With so many attractions, you’ll find it’s the perfect paradise for you.
- Plenty restaurants and a wide variety of arts & crafts shops.
- Play a round of golf on Golf Island in the middle of the Vaal River.
- Pick berries off the bush at Bon-Af Berry Farm and see SA’s only black raspberries.
- Interact with the big cats at the Dell Cheetah Centre.
- Visit Tumahole township just outside Parys – birthplace of Free State Premier, Mr Ace Magashule.
- Head for the Vaal River or the mountains of the Vredefort Dome and enjoy nature from land, water and sky.
Leisure
Art Lovers Restaurant & Gallery
Built in 1942 the church continues its life as mission as an art gallery, wedding venue and country restaurant.
It opens from Wednesday to Sunday.
Artlovers@telkomsa.net
Adventure
Savannah Cheetah Foundation
Cheetah Breeding Project: We are a small non-profit organisation situated on the Farm Vaal Rock, approximately 10 km outside the town of Parys in the Free State province of South Africa.
An unforgettable cheetah encounter of game drive.
Open Tuesday to Sunday
Estelle Kemp: +27 (0) 82 691 5537
Pieter Kemp: +27 (0) 73 148 6245
Email: cheetah@parys.co.za
Thabela Thabeng Mountain Retreat & Hiking
In the hill of the Vredefort Dome and on the banks of the Vaal.
It is a breakaway resort and team building venue.
thabela@parysinfo.co.za
056 818 1116
Otters Haunt
Otter’s Haunt is a secluded getaway on the Vaal River, South Africa, only 2km from Parys.
Otters’ Haunt is a little bit of paradise situated on the banks of the Vaal River near Parys
http://www.otters.co.za/
Leisure
Carryblaire River Retreat
Carryblaire River Retreat embodies peace, tranquility and a sense of oneness with nature. With its own natural island and being a registered bird sanctuary the views offered at Carryblaire are breathtaking and some of the most beautiful in Africa.
Telephone: +27 (0)56 818 1771
Email: reservations@carryblaire.co.za
Bon-Af Berry Farm
For a day out with a difference, why not go berry picking at Bon-Af Berry Farm and experience picking berries straight from the bush. If you gather enough you can make your own jam when you get home! Also available are farm tours. Bon-Af has 65 cultivars of berries including frambois, bramble, blueberries and blackberries. Join us on a guided tour through the orchard and indulge on over 80 varieties of succulent berries at your own pace. A special container is provided to everyone wishing to pick berries for take away.
Parys. Tel: +27 (0)56 811 3966
W: http://www.berry-farm.co.za
E: info@berry-farm.co.za
PARYS
- Dell Cheetah Centre – Tel: 082 691 5537
- Bon-Af Berry Farm – Tel: 056 811 3966
- Golf Island – Tel: 056 811 2404
Key Statistics 2011
| Total population | 8,071 |
| Young (0-14) | 13,8% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 59,3% |
| Elderly (65+) | 26,9% |
| Dependency ratio | 68,7 |
| Sex ratio | 84,1 |
| Population density | 346 persons/km2 |
| No schooling aged 20+ | 0,6% |
| Higher education aged 20+ | 21,3% |
| Matric aged 20+ | 47,2% |
| Number of households | 3,256 |
| Average household size | 2,2 |
| Female headed households | 34,2% |
| Formal dwellings | 98,9% |
| Housing owned/paying off | 61,1% |
| Flush toilet connected to sewerage | 99,3% |
| Weekly refuse removal | 94,9% |
| Piped water inside dwelling | 91,6% |
| Electricity for lighting | 99,3% |