Charm, History & Vibrant Culture

 

We’re undoubtedly known for our world-famous Eiffel Tower with a red cowboy hat, and while it’s worth stopping here for a memorable photo op, there’s a lot more to explore!

Paris is renowned for its friendly locals, who warmly welcome visitors from around the globe. This welcoming atmosphere adds to the appeal of its rich heritage and entertaining history.

From our charming historic downtown setting—lined with boutique shops and delectable restaurants—to the serene beauty of Pat Mayse Lake, this city offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply seeking a unique experience, Paris, Texas is an intriguing destination that deserves a spot on your travel itinerary.

Our History

While Paris Texas, was officially established in 1844, the first recorded settlement was recorded as far back as 1826. The town was founded by George W. Wright (who served in the Third Congress of the Republic of Texas) and named after the capital of France. The Congress of the Republic of Texas finally deemed Paris a city on February 3rd, 1845.

There are 23 cities in the United States that have the same name, but ours is the only one marked as “The Second Largest Paris in the World.” The establishment of Paris was spurred by the construction of the Texas and Pacific Railway, which brought economic opportunities and development to the region.

Paris quickly grew into a prosperous hub for agriculture, trade, and transportation. The city played a significant role in the cattle industry, serving as a major livestock center.

Over the years, Paris witnessed periods of growth and transformation, with the arrival of industries such as oil, manufacturing, and healthcare. Today, Paris, Texas preserves its heritage through historical sites, museums, and cultural events while embracing modernization and welcoming visitors from around the world.

The Great Fire of Paris, Texas

 

Sadly, Paris has experienced three separate fires that redirected the future of our city. The final and most disastrous fire occurred in 1916, and left our historic downtown in rubble. That same year, Paris locals banded together to rebuild the city and cemented the diverse architectural style that still exists today.

A Cultural Hub

 

Paris’ downtown square is stacked with local businesses that represent the unique history and culture of our town. The area was originally home to theaters, general stores, and a bank, and has since added restaurants, antique stores, boutiques, and more! The community has strived over the years to constantly protect and preserve the rich history of the square, while also improving the downtown space for the better of the community.

Things To See

Paris is proud to have one of the largest collections of 1916 architecture found in the United States of America. Our Downtown Walking History Tour takes guests on a journey through history to preview some of those buildings and read more about their story. It also highlights murals, historic architecture, and features like the Culbertson Fountain along the way!

The Culbertson Fountain is the heart of Paris, located downtown at the Center of the Square. This Italian marble fountain was a gift to the city by Paris businessman and philanthropist J. J. Culbertson, and was meant to commemorate the city’s rebirth after the 1916 fire. Designed by St. Louis architect J. L. Wees, it is said that it was inspired by fountains the Culbertson family had seen while in Italy.

If you are ever planning on driving through Texas, which is located thousands of miles from its French namesake, it is a tradition to stop by the Eiffel Tower. The tower is accessible to the public 24/7, and is located at the Love Civic Center.

This attraction has become an icon for travelers staying or just rolling through. The tower is so iconic, you will very frequently find it printed onto local business logos and brands. Our tower is a replica and tribute to the famous French landmark, standing at a solid 65 feet, with a bright red cowboy hat on top. Now the height of the replica dims in comparison to the original Eiffel Tower, but its southern charm makes it just as special.

Paris is also known for our collection of historic homes venturing from Victorian mansions to quaint cottages. These architectural beauties highlight the rich heritage and culture of the area. Individually, each home tells its own story of the different families and memories that inhabited them. The Sam Bell Maxey House, the Paris Wise House, the Scott Roden Mansion, and many more can be found in our Historical Home Tour Guide.

A Cycling Destination

Paris was built for life on two wheels, and there’s truly something here for every rider. For those looking for a more leisurely ride, the Trail de Paris is perfect for enjoying the outdoors alone, or with family and friends. This trail is a section of the Northeast Texas Trail, which offers more than 130 miles of trail riding bliss.

Barber Hills Mountain Bike Trail is designed for both beginner and intermediate bikers, and gives visitors the mix of nature and thrill they’re seeking. The cross-country track includes 17 miles of mountain bike trail, and is located at Pat Mayse Lake.

For the adrenaline junkies, Paris Pump Track is designed to attract some of the most elite competitions in the world. Our pump track boasts 16,000 square feet of head-to-head symmetrical asphalt track, and lies just steps from the iconic Eiffel Tower.

The culmination of our city’s biking culture is our annual Tour De Paris Bicycle Rally. The Tour de Paris began in 1984 with a few enthusiastic cyclists, and has evolved into a community favorite that hosts over 1,700 cyclists and volunteers from around the country. The rally features multiple routes that are tailored to riders of all skill levels. Find out more at ParisTexasBiking.com.

 

Local Events

 

Here in Paris, we’re an event mecca! We proudly host concerts, boat and jetski races, cook-offs, comedy festivals, expos, and more.

One of the local favorites is our 903 Sun Sets concert series. The series is held every summer under the lit oak trees that sparkle above the Culbertson Fountain downtown. The concerts are free to attend and boast an atmosphere of family-friendly community fun. 903 Sun Sets also features a beer garden, local food vendors, and kids activities.

One of our fastest growing events is Steak Wars. Every year, the competitors of the cookoff sear over 3,000 steaks! Guests can enter the Steak Arena to try competing steaks, enjoy cold drinks from the bar, and listen to live music from local artists. Proceeds go to the local Boys & Girls Club.

While we love our steak in Paris, we’re also big fans of our barbeque! The Texas BBQ Blowout is held every winter and features categories for every meat. Local BBQ lovers are recruited to judge the cook-off, which awards $10,000 in prizes!

Paris, Texas’ annual events add to our quality of life, boost the local economy, and foster a deep sense of community. You’ll also have to check out the Balloon Festival, Hatch Chile Fest, Jettribe WaterX Jet Ski Championships, Margarita Crawl, Paris Boat Grand Prix, Salsa on the Square, Pumpkin Festival, and the Christmas Parade of Lights.

Shopping Local

 The Farmers & Artisan Market draws 35+ vendors from the region to downtown Paris every Saturday. These artisans sell the freshest produce, flowers, animal products, sweets, locally roasted coffee, kombucha, skincare, jewelry, and so much more.

Now home to 35+ locally owned retail boutiques, Paris is a destination shopping location for locals and the surrounding areas. “I remember having to go far into the metroplex to shop when I was younger,” says Raegan Buster, who has called Paris home for her 30 years, “But around the time I was off at school, I was dying to come back home to refresh my wardrobe.

The options have only grown since then.” These shops include women’s and men’s clothing, children’s clothing, gift and souvenir shops, custom printing shops, salons, one stop baby shops, vintage and antique finds, and locally sourced specialty shops.

Paris Texas: “Where tomorrow fell in love with yesterday, and side by side, they lived happily ever after.” – Paul Harvey