Look for the Eiffel Tower adjacent to the civic center. The noteworthy 65-foot replica is topped off with a red cowboy hat set at a jaunty angle. Local union workers constructed the structure in 1995. The hat was added in 1998. A bilingual sign warns you not to climb on the Eiffel Tower in both English and French. That's not really true, it's written in English and Spanish.
Eiffel Tower
2025 South Collegiate Drive
Paris, TX 75460
The Crepe Myrtle Capitol of Texas is host to an annual bike ride, Tour de Paris. Cyclists congregate on the third Saturday of July for the ride. Pick from different lengths depending on your ability and interest. Choose 15K, 40K, 70K or 100K. All rides begin in the historic downtown district. Loosen up with live entertainment on Friday night before the race. Pack in the carbs with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast on Saturday morning.
Tour de Paris
tourdeparis.com
The house escaped the 1916 Paris fire. Built in 1868, it is one of the oldest buildings in town. Maxey was a Mexican War veteran, Confederate General and a U.S. Senator. He was an attorney in practice with his father. Together, they moved their families from Kentucky to Texas in 1857. Guided tours are offered of the High Victorian style two-story home.
Sam Bell Maxey House
812 South Church Street
Paris, TX 75460
903-785-5716
visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com
Evergreen Cemetery, dating from 1866, is full of large carved headstones and monuments. Bring thin tracing paper and charcoals to do rubbings of the ones that interest you the most. Explore the cemetery to search for the graves of Texas patriots and Sam Bell Maxey. Don't miss the Babcock monument, which features a 12-foot statue of Jesus wearing cowboy boots.
Evergreen Cemetery
560 Evergreen Street
Paris, TX 75460
903-784-6750
J.J. Culbertson, a Paris resident and wealthy businessman, donated the large ornate fountain to the city in recognition of the rebuilding effort following the 1916 fire. The fountain is located in the downtown historic district on the plaza. It's another striking edifice in a small city with a flair for the unusual, such as a cowboy-hatted Eiffel Tower and booted Jesus.
Culbertson Fountain
Corner of U.S. 82 and West Plaza Street
Paris, TX 75460
Paris hosts the annual Southwest Shootout, an archery tournament attracting top professional and amateur 3-D archers. Targets for this tourney are life-sized foam game animals. The local chamber of commerce holds an archery contest for competitors as well as local archery enthusiasts on the two days prior to the start of the shootout.
Archery Shooters Association
asaarchery.com
