Paris, Texas

The centre of this destination is a busy commercial locale, and as such it is home to a good selection of hotels and guesthouses. If you want to stay in the heart of the city, take a look at the options around Lamar Avenue and Clarksville Street.

Away from the centre, you will find an excellent selection of Paris accommodation options close to Wade Park. With such a diverse selection of establishments open to you, you can shop around for the right choices at the right prices.

As you might expect from a city called Paris, there is a version of the Eiffel Tower here, and it features a cowboy hat at the top. There is history all around you, so make sure you visit the museums and historic houses. Be sure to tour the surrounding countryside as well.

The recreation of the Eiffel Tower is an iconic symbol of Paris, Texas, so be sure to include it on your itinerary. It stands some 21 metres or so in height, and is a faithful scaled-down reproduction of its French counterpart. The Texan version may be smaller than the one on France, but it does have a unique addition – a large cowboy hat was added to the landmark in 1998. Bring your camera with you and take a picture of something a little different.

Paris is surrounded by some tremendous countryside, and because of this a visit to the stunning Pat Mayse State Park should be on every traveller’s schedule. It’s located to the south of the city, and if you’re a keen angler you will undoubtedly want to try the fishing at the local lake. There is a great selection of species in the water, including striped bass and flathead catfish. A day of fishing here will relax the mind and replenish the soul.

As is the case with every Texan location, the local history is rich and varied. One way to find out more about the area’s heritage is to visit the Sam Bell Maxey House in South Church Street, a fascinating property that has been restored to its former glory. If you’re keen to discover how life was lived by one of the more prominent Texans of his day this house is a must-visit. Samuel B Maxey was a senator, attorney and Confederate Major General who died in 1895.

Paris is only a short train journey from Dallas, and this proximity means it’s easy to head to this iconic city for a day of exploration. You can also rent a car from Paris and tour the local countryside. The northern Texan landscape is highly impressive, so if you’re in the mood for a fascinating trip be sure to take to four wheels and head for the open road.