Every Texan has heard the joke, and in Paris, Texas they lean right into it. Out on the south side of town stands a 65-foot Eiffel Tower, and perched on the very top is a big red cowboy hat. It’s silly, it’s photogenic and it’s completely worth the stop.
But if you only snap a picture at the tower and head home, you’ll miss the better half of the trip. Paris, the seat of Lamar County, has a handsome downtown plaza, a Victorian house museum and plenty of small-town charm, all about two hours northeast of Dallas.
How a Texas town ended up with an Eiffel Tower
Local welders built the tower in 1993, next to the Love Civic Center at 2025 S. Collegiate Drive. The story goes that Paris, Tennessee had already put up its own tower a few years before, so the Texas version was planned with a little friendly one-upmanship in mind. The oversized red cowboy hat came a few years later and settled the matter of which Paris it belonged to.
The tower stands in the civic center parking lot, so there’s no ticket, no line and no hours to worry about. According to the Paris Chamber of Commerce, it’s free and open around the clock, and it’s lit up at night, which makes for a fun after-dinner photo. The Red River Valley Veterans Memorial sits right next door and deserves a few quiet minutes of your time too.
The downtown plaza and the Culbertson Fountain
Paris looks the way it does today because of disaster. A great fire in 1916 burned through much of the town, and Paris rebuilt its business district around a central plaza. The centerpiece is the Culbertson Fountain, an Italian marble fountain installed in 1927 to mark the town’s comeback.
Around the plaza you’ll find antique stores, boutiques, coffee and lunch spots, and the restored brick buildings that came out of that rebuilding. Paris Bakery, a downtown favorite that leans into the French theme with croissants and baguettes, has been featured by regional travel writers as recently as this year. Shops change over time, so it’s best to park near the fountain and simply browse. The Paris Main Street program keeps a list of downtown happenings.
Step inside the Sam Bell Maxey House
A few blocks south of downtown, the Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site at 812 S. Church St. is one of the best-preserved Victorian homes in this part of the state. Built in 1868, it belonged to Sam Bell Maxey, a Mexican War veteran, Confederate general and later U.S. senator, and to the Long family that came after. Guided tours show off original furnishings, clothing and letters, so it feels lived in rather than staged.
Tours start at the top of the hour Tuesday through Sunday, with the last one at 3 p.m. The Texas Historical Commission lists adult admission at $5, with discounts for seniors, veterans, teachers, first responders and kids.
Fall happenings on the calendar
The Maxey House has two fall programs posted for 2026:
- Tricks, Treats & Timeless Traditions — Saturday, Oct. 17, 5–8 p.m., a look at how past generations celebrated the Halloween season.
- History Myths Busted — Wednesday, Nov. 4, with sessions at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Downtown Paris also usually hosts a pumpkin festival around the plaza in late October and a Christmas tree lighting and lighted parade in late November and early December. As of early October, the city hadn’t posted its 2026 dates yet, so check with Paris Main Street before you plan around them.
Making a day of it
Paris is an easy pairing with other Red River towns. Coming from the Dallas side on U.S. 82, you’ll pass right through Bonham, which has its own restored courthouse and the Sam Rayburn House. The six-mile Trail de Paris is a paved path for a walk or bike ride if you need to stretch your legs, and Pat Mayse Lake north of town is popular with campers and anglers.
Good to Know
- Where: Paris, Lamar County, in Northeast Texas; about 2 hours northeast of Dallas and roughly an hour and a half west of Texarkana.
- Eiffel Tower: 2025 S. Collegiate Drive, next to the Love Civic Center; free and open anytime.
- Sam Bell Maxey House: 812 S. Church St.; 903-785-5716; tours on the hour Tue–Sun, last tour 3 p.m.; adults $5.
- Downtown: Park near the Culbertson Fountain on the plaza and explore on foot.
- Best photo: The tower photographs well at dusk, after the lights come on.
Hours, dates and prices can change. Check the Paris Chamber of Commerce website before you head out.
Paris, Texas has a sense of humor about itself, and that’s a big part of the fun. Take the cowboy-hat picture, then slow down on the plaza. The real charm of this town is in the details you catch on foot.
