Paris Texas

The City of Paris, incorporated in 1845, is located in Lamar County and has a rich history beginning as a center for agricultural trade. Today, Paris is a thriving community of economic activity for the Red River Valley. Paris is home of multiple Fortune 500 manufacturing facilities and is a regional hub for medical care.

It is often called the "Second Largest Paris in the World." Following a tradition of American cities named "Paris", a 65-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower was constructed in 1993.

The city is home to Paris Junior College. It serves as center for healthcare for much of Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma.

Paris is assigned Zip Codes 75460-75462, and its Area Code is 903. Its population was about 25,000 residents in the Federal Census of 2020.

Transportation

Paris is located in Northeast Texas approximately 105 miles northeast of Dallas, situated on the divide between the Red and Sulphur Rivers. It is also only 38 miles from Interstate 30, and is surrounded by a divided 4-lane, controlled access loop – Loop 286. Paris is located at the intersection of US Highways 82 and 271 and Texas Highways 19 and 24.

The Lamar County Courthouse in downtown Paris is 604.2 feet above sea level.

Cox Field Municipal Airport, located inside the Paris city limits, is the commercial airport that services the community. The lighted runway is 6,000 feet of asphalt with two crossways, 4,500 feet each. Paris is served by the Kiamichi Short Line Railroad Company with services linking to three major class-one rail carriers.

Paris Eiffel Tower A well-known landmark in the city of Paris is the replica of the Eiffel Tower in France. It was built in 1993 by members of the local welders’ union and stands at 65 feet in height, less than one tenth the height of the 1,063-foot original in France. A 3.5 foot shiny red cowboy hat was added to the top of the spindle in 1998. The tower has 27 thirty-watt LED lights for nighttime, and are programmed by color according to season (e.g., red and green at Christmas). The tower is open to the public and free to visit any time of year, and located on 2025 S Collegiate Drive near the Love Civic Center. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas ... spectacular in the day, and at night!

Red River Valley Veterans Memorial This memorial is built to honor all Veterans who have served our country in the past and are currently serving in our military. The Memorial’s centerpiece is the Ring of Honor, an elevated ring of granite walls containing the names of all men and women from the five-county Red River Valley area who made the ultimate sacrifice in a combat zone while in service to our country. Surrounding the Ring of Honor are double-sided granite Conflict Walls etched with information and graphic depictions of each war or conflict beginning with the Texas Revolution up to the present war with Global War on Terror. Leading up to and surrounding the Ring of Honor are walkways with 1’ x 2’ granite pavers engraved with the names of the men and women who served and were fortunate to return home, or those who are currently serving our country. The Red River Valley Veterans Memorial is a place for reflection, remembrance and gratitude. And may it be a reminder that “Freedom Is Not Free.” This impressive memorial is located in Paris next to the Eiffel Tower at the Love Civic Center. Highly recommended! Scenes at the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial in Paris

Lamar County Historical Museum The Lamar County Historical Society preserves artifacts and historic sites within the county. Its museum exhibits uniforms used during the Civil War, replicas of pioneer homes, a blacksmith shop and shoes. Museum admission is free, but the society appreciates donations. The Museum is located at 1015 W. Kaufman in Paris. Phone 903.783.0064 Official website of the Lamar County Historical Society

Culbertson Fountain In the Center of the Square in downtown Paris is the Culbertson Fountain. A gift to the city by Paris businessman / philanthropist J. J. Culbertson, this Italian marble fountain was meant to commemorate the city’s rebirth after the 1916 fire that destroyed most of the city. 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. The fountain took three years to assemble (1924-1927).

Downtown Paris

Lamar County Courthouse in downtown Paris, Texas

Visitors to downtown can expect a variety of activities throughout the year. Musical performances, comedy shows, bluegrass jam sessions, live theatre productions, and holiday fun provide entertainment for great getaways.

There is something that everyone can enjoy in the many downtown parks. Take in the scenery of the 1916-1918 building architecture while visiting the JJ Culbertson fountain in the center of town. Bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch on the lawn, or make a wish in the historic fountain.

A few blocks east of the plaza, kids can cool down on the splash pad during hot summer days or create some outdoor music at the Downtown Community Park. A skate park is located south of the downtown plaza located at Market Square, providing fun for kids on wheels. Beginning in June, there is summertime fun at Bywater’s Park with concerts.

Downtown Paris has many independently owned businesses that offer unique places to shop and dine. Many boutiques offer quality apparel for young and old.

Biking Around Paris

Paris has become a popular biking destination, with bikers taking advantage of the Trail de Paris, Barber Hills mountain bike trail at Pat Mayse Lake, bike rentals at the Love Civic Center, and a World Class Competition Pump Track that was recently completed.

Bikers tour the gently rolling hills and long straight-aways and enjoy minimal traffic along the farm-to-market roads in Lamar County.

Accept the off-road challenge of the Barber-Hills Hiking and Biking Trail at Pat Mayse Lake. Make your competitive dreams come true on the world-class Pump Track Paris, home of a Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships qualifier competition.

Automated bicycle rentals are available next to the Eiffel Tower at the Love Civic Center. Other formal biking competitions take place throughout the year.

Area Lakes

Lake Crook is located on Pine Creek, a tributary of the Red River, 5 miles north of Paris in Lamar County. It has a surface area of 1,060 acres, with a maximum depth of 24 feet. The lake was impounded in 1923, and today is operated by the City of Paris. Read more: Lake Crook at Texas Parks & Wildlife

Lake Gibbons is a small artificial lake on Pine Creek four miles northwest of Paris in central Lamar County. It was built in 1911 as a water source for the City of Paris and has a capacity of 3,600 acre-feet. It is accessible via CR 33060.

Trail de Paris

The Trail de Paris runs for over three miles from Paris eastward into the beautiful East Texas countryside. The paved route follows a lovely corridor of shade trees, crossing bridges as it heads along a former railroad right-of-way. The trail includes benches, viewing platforms, mile markers, and interpretive signs.

It offers access to a butterfly garden, junior college, neighborhoods, and parks. On its eastern end, it connects to the Reno Rail-Trail, which extends the ride another five miles. Both trails are part of the growing Northeast Texas Trail, which will stretch 132 miles across seven counties from New Boston to Farmersville. Other trails in the system include the Chaparral Rail Trail and DeKalb Trace.

More Scenes Around Paris "A Main Street City"
Love Civic Center	Paris Bakery
Train Station in Paris	Crawford's Hole in the Wall

Annual Events in Paris

Paris is busy year-round! Among the annual events ...

• Paris Red River Valley Fair
• Festival of Pumpkins
• Paris Wine Festival
• Lighted Christmas Parade
• Christmas in Fair Park
• Downtown Wassail Fest
• Uncle Jesse's Big Bass Classic
• Paris Art Fair
• Balloon and Music Festival
• Oktoberfest

Hotels and Accommodations in Paris Texas

Hampton Inn Paris Comfort Inn & Suites Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Paris LaQuinta Inn & Suites Paris Days Inn Paris  Texas   All hotels and motels in Paris Texas

Interactive Map of Paris Texas (courtesy of Google)