Eiffel Tower Paris Texas — Attraction in Paris

Eiffel Tower – A Charming Texan Twist on a Parisian Icon

Location: 2025 S Collegiate Dr, Paris, TX 75460, United States

Visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas is one of those fun, quirky bucket-list experiences that surprise and delight you. As someone who appreciates both travel and novelty, I was genuinely impressed by this small-town gem that offers a warm, Texan take on a global icon.

What It Offers This isn’t a business in the traditional sense, but rather a free public landmark and popular photo spot, managed by the city of Paris, Texas. It’s ideal for a quick visit, a memorable selfie, or even a stop during a family road trip. The Eiffel Tower here stands proudly at around 65 feet tall and wears a signature red cowboy hat on top, adding that unmistakable Texas flair!

There’s no entry fee, which makes it even more appealing as a spontaneous stop or part of a local sightseeing plan.

Ambience, Cleanliness & Accessibility The surrounding area is peaceful, quiet, and well-maintained. The tower sits in a clean, landscaped area with paved paths, small seating areas, and nearby parking. The location feels safe and relaxing—great for families, solo travelers, or couples.

Accessibility is another plus—it’s located right off South Collegiate Drive, easy to reach by car and close to downtown Paris, TX. There’s ample parking space, and the area is wheelchair accessible.

Quality of Experience While it’s not a large-scale attraction, the quality of the experience is genuinely enjoyable. The unique structure is well-crafted, and the red cowboy hat makes for a fun twist that’s become iconic in its own right. Whether you're a local looking for a fun spot to take visitors, or a traveler passing through, this mini Eiffel Tower delivers a dose of charm and lightheartedness.

It’s also a popular place for photography—great lighting during sunset hours makes it even more picturesque.

Staff & Services There isn’t formal staff onsite as it’s an open public attraction, but the city maintains the grounds well, and everything looked neat and welcoming. Locals we encountered nearby were friendly and more than happy to share tips about other nearby attractions.

Pricing & Value The best part? It’s absolutely free. There’s no admission charge, no parking fee—just show up, enjoy, and click those memorable photos. For the value it offers in terms of experience and novelty, it’s unbeatable.

Standout Features

Red Cowboy Hat on Top: A hilarious and lovable Texan twist!

Great Photo Opportunities: Both day and night.

Nearby Veterans Memorial & Love Civic Center: Easily make it part of a longer visit.

Free Entry and Parking

Suggestions for Improvement

Adding a small visitor kiosk or information plaque about the structure’s history would enrich the experience.

A nearby snack cart or souvenir booth could make the visit even more engaging.

Final Verdict If you're passing through Paris, Texas—or even planning a fun road trip—don’t miss this delightful mini Eiffel Tower. It’s a charming blend of humor, culture, and small-town pride. Quick, fun, and free—it perfectly captures the spirit of travel off the beaten path. Highly...

The Eiffel Tower of Paris, Texas: A Tale of Ridiculous Beginnings

Back in the early ‘80s, the city council of Paris, Texas, decided the town needed something big to put it on the map—bigger than the Dairy Queen, bigger than the world’s largest bowl of chili they’d once attempted (and failed) to make. After a few too many Shiner Bocks at a Rotary Club cookout, Councilman Earl “Big Ideas” Jenkins stood up on a picnic table and slurred, “We’re gonna build us an Eiffel Tower, just like the one in France!”

The townsfolk roared with approval, half because they loved the idea, half because they thought Earl was joking. He was not.

Plans commenced immediately, though no one on the committee had actually seen the Eiffel Tower in person. They relied solely on postcards, a blurry encyclopedia photo, and one guy named Jerry who’d flown over it once on a connecting flight to Des Moines.

The first design draft came from Earl’s cousin Randy, a welder who also did taxidermy. His blueprint—drawn in Sharpie on a Whataburger placemat—looked more like a giant oil derrick with Christmas lights. The top featured a rotating deer stand “for visibility” and a satellite dish borrowed from the local bowling alley.

City funds were tight, so materials were “locally sourced,” which meant scrap metal from the junkyard and some spare rebar from a high school construction project. A dispute arose when a group of civic-minded seniors insisted the tower also serve as a waterslide for kids. For two months, a giant blue tube snaked down one side, until it was removed after a near-catastrophic incident involving a goat.

The crowning touch, however, came from Mayor Betty Lou Henderson, who declared, “If the French can have culture, so can we!” and insisted they put a cowboy hat on top, “because it’s still our Paris.”

And thus, the Paris, Texas Eiffel Tower was born—wearing a bright red cowboy hat, standing proud at 65 feet tall, and built from enough recycled metal to make a dozen pickup trucks. The project went three months over schedule, doubled its budget, and nearly collapsed in a strong wind—but to this day, tourists flock from miles around to admire it, take selfies, and ask, “Is it supposed to lean like that?”

And the town? Well, they finally made the map… just not the one...

It really hurts me to give this only 3 stars. I have dreamed of visiting the Eiffel Tower for over 30 years. I booked my tickets in advance on the website. I knew June would be a busy month and booked 10:30 pm ticket to the summit, based on the website saying that the later times were less busy. What I didn't account for was that they did not care what time your ticket was for. We waited outside of over an hour until 10 pm. Once inside, we realized that we were not "inside". there was a whole area with food and more to see under the Eiffel Tower past the 1st security checkpoint. We got in line for the elevator and waited for nearly and hour. I know there were many time slots after ours, yet once on the elevator, there were not many people in line behind us. When we got to the 2nd level, the line was even longer for the summit. My husband stood in line while I went to the gift shop which closed at 11:00. Our 10:30pm tickets got us to the summit at 11:40pm. We were in line for over an hour and a half! This was supposedly the least busy time of the day. Had we known, that the time did not matter, we would've jumped in at 8 pm. The summit views are not worth it, and I wish I had time to see the views from the 2nd floor. My advice, don't do the summit (You do not see the lights sparkle at the top) and get in line hours early for the elevator. Luckily I am returning next year with my sisters, hopefully we will have a...