Paris
Around Paris
Photo: Joe deSousa · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Texas · 62k people
Paris
“The Paris of Texas”
A little French flair in the heart of Texas
Texas Flag RedParis Junior College Green
Welcome to Paris, Texas! You'll find a friendly square, good barbecue, and plenty of lakes to explore. Whether you're here for a visit or putting down roots, there's always something happening around town.
Clubs for Paris
No clubs for Paris yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Paris. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Paris. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Eiffel Tower replica A 60-foot tower topped with a red cowboy hat
- Downtown square Historic courthouse square with local shops
- Lake Crook City lake with fishing and picnic areas
- Pat Mayse Lake Reservoir for boating, fishing, and camping
- Sam Bell Maxey House Victorian-era home open for tours
- Lamar County Courthouse Beaux-Arts building at the center of the square
- Outdoors Fish for bass at Pat Mayse Lake
- Outdoors Walk the trails around Lake Crook
- With kids Tour the Sam Bell Maxey House
- With kids Climb the Eiffel Tower replica
- Evenings Two-step at a local honky-tonk
- Evenings Catch live music at a downtown bar
- Locals love Barbecue joints
- Locals love Country diners
Through the year
- Red River Valley Fair August Regional fair with rodeo, concerts, and carnival
- Lamar County Fair September County fair with livestock and exhibits
- Paris Farmers Market Saturdays, May-October Weekly market with local produce and crafts
- Paris Christmas Parade December Holiday parade on the downtown square
Paris has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for outdoor activities, with mild temps and low humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The square”
- Downtown Paris, around the courthouse
- “The tower”
- The Eiffel Tower replica
Getaways
- Sulphur Springs Historic downtown and the Southwest Dairy Museum
- Bonham Sam Rayburn House and Bonham State Park
- Mount Pleasant Lake Bob Sandlin and local wineries
- Durant Choctaw Casino and Lake Texoma nearby
Local flavour
Rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Texas Rangers (MLB), Dallas Stars (NHL), FC Dallas (MLS)
Eat and drink
- Texas barbecue brisket Slow-smoked, often with a peppery dry rub
- Chicken fried steak Crispy, country-style, served with cream gravy
- Pecan pie A Southern staple, often made with local pecans
- Sweet tea The classic Texas drink
Where people go
- Eiffel Tower replica A 65-foot tower topped with a red cowboy hat, a symbol of Paris, TX.
- Downtown square Historic courthouse, local shops, and a classic Texas town square.
- Lake Crook A small lake popular for fishing and picnics.
- Pat Mayse Lake A larger reservoir for boating, fishing, and camping.
- Local barbecue joints Smokehouses and family-owned spots serving Texas-style BBQ.
- Country diners Home-style cooking, chicken fried steak, and pie.
Heritage and traditions
Paris, Texas is proud of its small-town charm, historic downtown, and the quirky cowboy-hat-topped Eiffel Tower that celebrates its namesake while staying distinctly Texan.
This time of year in Paris
- Friday night lights Fall High school football games are a fall social event.
Say it like a local: “bless your heart” — a polite way to say 'bless you' or express sympathy
Festivals
- Red River Balloon Rally September Hot air balloons launch over the Red River valley.
- Tour de Paris May A community bicycle ride through the countryside.
Landmarks with a story
- Paris Historic District Victorian-era homes and commercial buildings on the National Register.
- Red River County Courthouse A historic courthouse in Clarksville, the oldest town in the county.
- First United Methodist Church of Paris A prominent historic church in the downtown area.
Food traditions
- Fried catfish from the Red River Local anglers and restaurants serve catfish caught in the river, often fried with hushpuppies.
- Church potluck dinners A strong tradition of community meals with fried chicken, casseroles, and homemade desserts.
- Pecan pie and cobblers Pecans grow locally, and homemade pies are a staple at gatherings.
Music and arts
- Paris Community Theatre Local productions and community theater since the 1960s.
- Texas country music Live music at local venues featuring honky-tonk and outlaw country.
- Historic preservation Residents take pride in restoring Victorian-era buildings.
A little history
- 1841 Paris was founded and named after Paris, France.
- 1916 A devastating fire destroyed much of downtown, leading to a brick rebuilding.
- Late 1800s The town grew as a cotton and railroad hub in Northeast Texas.
Rivalries
- Paris High vs. Sulphur Springs High Football rivalry on the gridiron
- Paris vs. Clarksville County rivalry in basketball
- Lamar County vs. Red River County County pride in sports
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Fishing at Pat Mayse Lake
- Outdoors Camping and hiking
- With kids Climbing the Eiffel Tower replica
- With kids Fishing at Lake Crook
People here speak with a Southern drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. They pronounce Paris as 'PAIR-iss' (like the French city) but with a Texas twang.
Only here
- The Eiffel Tower replica with a red cowboy hat – a quirky Texan twist on the Paris landmark.
- The Red River forms the northern border with Oklahoma, a natural boundary for the region.
- The town is named after Paris, France, but has its own distinct Southern identity.
- The historic downtown square is a classic Texas courthouse square with a gazebo.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers; stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
- Learn to say 'y'all' – it's a friendly part of local speech.
- Try the local barbecue and fried catfish – they're community favorites.
- Visit the historic downtown square and the Eiffel Tower replica for a quick photo.
- Take a trip to Pat Mayse Lake or the Red River for fishing and outdoor fun.
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Nearby
Every areaSulphur SpringsTexasWhere the prairie meets the pines and the stew is always simmering.BonhamTexasSmall-town heart, wide-open skies.Kiamichi CountryOklahomaWhere the pines meet the waterMount PleasantTexasWhere the pines meet the water and the barbecue is always hot.DurantOklahomaWhere the lake meets the Choctaw spiritAtokaOklahomaRed earth, tall pines, and a slow pace.Sherman–DenisonTexasRed River roots, Texas heartTexarkanaTexasTwo states, one hometown, a hundred years of Southern charm.
Paris, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.