You've probably seen the movie. Or maybe you've just heard the name and thought, "Wait, there’s a Paris in Texas?"
There is. And honestly, it’s nothing like the one with the Louvre.
If you are looking for where is Paris Texas on a map, you need to point your finger toward the upper right-hand corner of the Lone Star State. It is tucked away in Northeast Texas, specifically sitting as the county seat of Lamar County.
It’s about 100 miles northeast of Dallas. If you’re driving, that’s roughly a two-hour trip depending on how heavy your foot is and how much traffic you hit leaving the Metroplex.
The Geography of the "Second Largest Paris"
Geographically, Paris is in a bit of a transition zone. It’s located at the western edge of the Piney Woods, which means you get a mix of those rolling tall-grass prairies and the beginning of the dense, wooded forests that define East Texas.
The city sits on a ridge between the Red River to the north and the Sulphur River to the south.
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It’s high enough to avoid some of the swampier vibes of deep East Texas, but it definitely feels "southern." The weather? It’s a humid subtropical climate. Expect summers that feel like you’re walking through a warm, wet blanket—temperatures regularly hit the mid-90s in July and August.
- Coordinates: 33°39′45″N 95°32′52″W
- Elevation: About 600 feet above sea level
- Proximity: 15 miles south of the Oklahoma border
Why Does This Town Even Exist?
Paris wasn't always the "City of Roses" or the place with the cowboy-hat-wearing Eiffel Tower.
Back in the early 1840s, a merchant named George W. Wright bought 1,000 acres of land. He donated 50 of those acres to ensure the town became the county seat. By 1845, the Republic of Texas (yes, it was still its own country then) officially incorporated it.
One of Wright's employees, Thomas Poteet, suggested the name "Paris." It’s kinda funny—there’s no evidence he’d ever been to France. He just liked the sound of it.
The Landmark Everyone Asks About
You can't talk about the location of Paris, Texas without mentioning the Eiffel Tower.
No, it’s not 1,000 feet tall. It’s 65 feet.
The story goes that in 1993, the town built this replica. But then Paris, Tennessee, built one too. And theirs was taller. Naturally, Texans aren't great at losing. So, in 1998, the folks in Paris, TX, slapped a giant, shiny red Stetson cowboy hat on top of their tower.
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It settled the score. Now, it stands at the Love Civic Center, and it’s basically the law that you have to take a photo with it if you’re passing through.
How to Actually Get There
Most people get to Paris via US Highway 82 or US Highway 271.
Surprisingly, for a city of about 24,000 people, Paris is one of the largest cities in Texas that isn’t directly connected to an Interstate. You won't find I-20 or I-30 running through the town square. This keeps the pace a bit slower, which locals tend to prefer.
If you’re coming from Dallas:
- Take I-30 East toward Texarkana.
- Exit at Sulphur Springs onto Hwy 19/154 North.
- Follow it straight into the heart of Paris.
Beyond the Tower: What’s Really There?
Once you find where Paris is, don't just look at the tower and leave.
There’s a weirdly fascinating statue in the Evergreen Cemetery known as "Jesus in Cowboy Boots." It’s actually the Babcock Monument. Legend says the sculptor didn’t know how to carve traditional Middle Eastern sandals, so he just carved what he knew: boots.
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Then there’s the Culbertson Fountain in the middle of the downtown plaza. It’s an Italian marble masterpiece that survived the Great Fire of 1916. That fire destroyed almost half the city, which is why the downtown area has such a unique mix of 1920s architecture rather than older 1800s buildings.
Things to Check Out If You Visit
If you find yourself in this corner of the state, here is how you should spend your time:
- Trail de Paris: A beautiful, shaded 3-mile trail built on an old railroad right-of-way.
- Sam Bell Maxey House: A High Victorian Italianate home that gives you a glimpse into post-Civil War life in Texas.
- Pat Mayse Lake: Located just north of town, it’s the go-to spot for locals to fish and camp.
- The Red River Valley Veterans Memorial: Right next to the Eiffel Tower, it's a somber, well-designed tribute to those from the region who served.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are planning a trip to see where Paris Texas is for yourself, start by checking the Paris Main Street calendar. They host wine walks, pumpkin festivals, and classic car shows that take over the historic downtown square.
Don't just plug the coordinates into your GPS and hope for the best. Plan to arrive via Highway 271 from the south to see the transition from the blackland prairies into the timbered hills.
Grab a burger at a local spot downtown, take the mandatory Eiffel Tower selfie, and then head 20 minutes north to the Red River. You'll see exactly why George Wright picked this spot nearly 200 years ago.