Paris—In the town of Paris, the Lone Star State’s version of the city of love, the square reminds you of it’s distant cousin to the east. Such a peaceful part of town with fragrant flowers and a subdued fountain spraying into a dry Texas day. That European feel continues on the southwest side of town at tower dedicated to the namesake of this city in the Lone Star State.
“Welcome to Paris, Texas. This is our Eiffel Tower,” said the town’s Chamber of Commerce President, Paul Allen.
Paul was born and raised in Paris, TX, so he understands the importance of embracing their connection to the town that sits 4,833 miles to the east. (That’s like driving across Texas six times!)
Fittingly you can find the tower at the Love Civic Center.
“It all works. It’s perfect,” he said.
Now we always boast that everything is bigger in Texas, but this version of the Eiffel Tower checks in at 65 feet tall, nearly 1000 feet smaller than the one in France. On American soil however, Paris has the second largest version of the tower with Las Vegas taking the top spot and Paris, Tennessee taking third.
“At one point in time theirs [Tennessee] was taller and when the cowboy hat was added, we surpassed Paris, Tennessee… And we became number two,” said Paul.
Built in 1994, the tower was donated by local welders and pipefitters who thought it was fit for the city of blinding lights in the lone star state to have its own towering tower.
“A lot of it was done at BMW and then those pieces were brought out here, but a lot of that welding was done here as well… Volunteered their time and volunteered the pipe, material and [built it] piece by piece,” explained Paul.
“I have been to Paris, France. I’ll tell you, I’d rather be in Paris, Texas than Paris, France any day of the week. Because I’ve seen it and I’ve been there, I’ll take this one,” he said.
While it may not be the biggest in the world, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas can put a big ol’ feather in its hat for one big reason—it’s in the town with the biggest heart!
“It means a lot to me and it means a lot to a lot of people that have grown up here and don’t want to be anywhere else,” concluded Paul.