Where It All Began

Long before streets and storefronts existed, the land along the Vaal River was a crossing point, a place of movement and migration.

In the mid 1800s, farming families settled in the area. One such family, the Van Collers, owned a large farm called Klipspruit along one of the rockiest stretches of the river.

At the time, towns were few and far between. Church services required long journeys by ox wagon, and crossing the Vaal River meant travelling great distances to find an official drift.

In 1882, land from the farm was laid out into erven, and a small settlement began to take shape. A church was built, plots were sold, and slowly, a town emerged.

Parys was born.

How Parys Got Its Name

The town was named by land surveyor Mr Schilbach, who had taken part in the Siege of Paris in France. Inspired by the French capital, situated along the River Seine, he imagined a similar riverside town along the Vaal.

And so the name Parys remained, a Free State town with European inspiration and proudly South African in spirit.

A River at the Heart of Everything

The Vaal River has always been the lifeblood of Parys.

In 1919, a pedestrian bridge was built to give residents access to the river island. Families picnicked beneath the trees. Children swam in the shallows. Visitors from Johannesburg discovered a peaceful riverside escape just 100 kilometres from the city.

Over time, the town became known for

• River adventures
  • Fishing and boating
  • Outdoor sports
  • Scenic beauty
  • Weekend getaways

Today, the river remains central to Parys’ identity, a constant reminder that this town grew because of its water.

A Town of Character and Faith

As Parys grew, so did its community.

Beautiful churches rose across town. The Dutch Reformed Church was completed in the late 1800s. The Methodist Church followed in 1914, the Anglican Church in 1915, and later the distinctive tent-shaped Gereformeerde Kerk designed in the 1950s.

The Jewish community also left its mark with the synagogue built in 1922, reflecting the diversity and entrepreneurial spirit that helped shape the town.

Many of these buildings still stand today, quiet storytellers of a growing settlement determined to build something lasting.

The Railway Years

With progress came connection.

A branch railway line linked Parys to the main lines of the region, bringing trade, travellers and opportunity. Though the trains no longer run, it remains a reminder of a time when steam and steel connected this small riverside town to the broader country.

Stories in Stone and Memory

Parys’ history is not only found in buildings, but in people.

In the old cemetery rest early settlers, doctors, teachers and families who helped shape the town’s identity. The grave of Sylvia Lee, a young Canadian teacher who travelled across the world to serve during challenging times, reflects the unexpected global connections woven into local history.

Scattered monuments outside town mark moments that shaped the region, reminders of resilience and perseverance.

Above all, the story of Parys is one of rebuilding, adapting and moving forward.

From Farming Town to Lifestyle Destination

By the early 1900s, residents recognised that Parys offered something unique: river, landscape and location.

Just over an hour from Johannesburg, yet worlds away in atmosphere, Parys gradually transformed into a holiday town.

Antique stores appeared. Art galleries followed. Restaurants, coffee shops and guesthouses added charm to historic streets.

Today, Parys is known for

• Antique shopping and art culture
  • Outdoor adventure and sports events
  • Geological significance near the Vredefort Dome
  • Heritage architecture
  • A strong sense of community

It is a town where you can stroll, explore, paddle, cycle, discover and connect.

150 Years of Parys

This year, Parys celebrates 150 years of heritage, resilience and growth.

From a rocky riverside farm to a vibrant tourism and lifestyle destination, Parys has continually reinvented itself while holding onto its character.

Our 150 Year Celebration honours

• The families who built the town
  • The entrepreneurs who shaped its streets
  • The faith communities that anchored it
  • The artists, adventurers and dreamers who keep it alive today

Visit our 150 Year Celebration page to explore special events, commemorative stories and ways to be part of this historic milestone.

The Story Continues

Parys is not a town frozen in time.

It is living history.

It is river mornings and market days.
It is old buildings with new ideas.
It is the past and present flowing side by side.

And after 150 years, the story is still being written.