The Eiffel Tower in Paris Texas.
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The beautiful thing about Texas is that no two places are identical. Yes, you can drive for 12 hours and still be in the same state, but you’ll be in a totally new world. For example, you might fall asleep and wake up in Europe!
No, not really, but Paris, Texas is one destination that has captured folks’ imagination for decades, all thanks to its massive landmark and ties to independent cinema. Still, folks have been living there since 1824, so surely they’d welcome some fresh faces.
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Here’s what to know about the mysterious town in Northeast Texas.
What is Paris, Texas, known for?
Paris, Texas, was first settled in 1824 and became fully incorporated in 1845 as the seat of Lamar County, named after Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second President of the Republic of Texas. The town was formerly a railway hub and served as a center for companies moving trains across the country.
The Equal Justice Initiative notes that Paris was the site of several racial terror lynchings, including the widely publicized 1893 lynching of Henry Smith and the 1920 killing of brothers Irving and Herman Arthur. No historical marker documents the infamous lynchings that occurred there, but a large Confederate memorial stands on the courthouse lawn, according to the non-profit organization.
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Overall, the city is best known for its replica Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1993. Standing 65 feet tall and topped with a cowboy hat, it is roughly 1/16 the size of the original Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
How close is Paris, Texas, to San Antonio?
Paris, Texas, is about 378 miles northeast of San Antonio, a more than six-hour drive.
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Wildcat Stadium in Paris Texas.
Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty
What are the school districts like in Paris, Texas?
Students in Paris, Texas, attend three school districts: Paris ISD, North Lamar ISD, and Chisum ISD.
Paris ISD serves nearly 4,000 students and earned a B+ from Niche. The district scored As for diversity, administration and teachers but Bs for academics, college prep and clubs/activities.
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Chisum ISD supports students from South Paris, Texas, and much of southern Lamar County. The district received an A- overall, scoring As for teachers and administration and Bs for academics, clubs, diversity and college prep.
North Lamar ISD supports the northern portion of Paris, Texas, as well as the majority of north Lamar County. It received an overall B grade, with an A for diversity but Bs in all other categories.
What’s the population of Paris, Texas?
Paris, Texas, has a population of 25,037 as of July 1, 2024, according to Census.gov.
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How much does it cost to buy a home in Paris, Texas?
With around 200 homes listed for sale on Zillow, prices range from as low as $34,900 for a true fixer-upper all the way to $3.9 million for a 4,800-square-foot mansion. The average home price is $172,382, up 2.7% from last year as of March 31, according to Zillow.
What is the average household income in Paris, Texas?
The U.S. Census lists the average household income in Paris, Texas, as $26,854 as of July 1, 2024.
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What’s the average renter cost in Paris, Texas?
As of April 21, 2026, it costs an average of $1,250 per month to rent a property in Paris, Texas, regardless of the number of bedrooms or property size, according to Zillow.
City street and information sign at Paris, Texas, United States.
Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Getty Images
Who is in charge of the local government in Paris, Texas?
Mayor Mihir “Mark” Pankaj (District 4)
Mayor Pro-Tem Gary Savage (District 3)
Councilmember Shatara Moore (District 1)
Councilmember Mickey Ellis (District 2)
Councilmember Rebecca Norment (District 5)
Councilmember Alix Putnam (District 6)
Councilmember Tracy Attebury (District 7)
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Cost of utilities in Paris, Texas?
Redfin reports that utilities in Paris, Texas, cost 5% less than the national average. Paris residents pay on average $206 for their energy bill and $190 for their phone bills.
Best places to eat in Paris, Texas?
107 Beer Garden (107 Grand Ave., Paris, TX 75460)
Scholl Bros (1528 Lamar Ave., Paris, TX 75460
Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant (1455 Clarksville St., Suite 110, Paris, TX 75460)
Magel’s Grill (3805 NE Loop 286, Paris, TX 75460)
Gringos BBQ (1343 S. Church St., Paris, TX 75460)
BonFire (136 Clarksville St., Paris, TX 75460)
Paris Brewing Company (7 W. Houston St., Paris, TX 75460)
Stop & Go (2205 Clarksville St., Paris, TX 75460)
The Burger Palace (930 N. Main St., Paris, TX 75460)
Rigby’s Cigars & Whiskey (10 N. Plaza, Paris, TX 75460)
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See a full list of places to eat in Paris, Texas, here.
Eiffel Tower landmark in the city of Paris, Texas. The tower was constructed in 1993 and is a model of the French one but with a red western hat on top of it. Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018.
Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
What big city is Paris, Texas, close to?
Dallas is the closest big city to Paris, Texas, but it’s still 104 miles away to the southwest, about a two-hour drive.
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Is ‘Paris, Texas’ a good movie?
Fans of independent cinema will also recognize the name Paris, Texas for its association with the 1984 film Paris, Texas by director Wim Wenders. The film follows Harry Dean Stanton and his son as they travel across Texas in search of the boy’s mother, played by Nastassja Kinski.
The film has received critical acclaim, winning the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and today holds a 95% “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.