Welcome to downtown Paris, Texas!  Paris is a Texas Main Street city with a unique, historic building stock, much of it dating to 1916, when a huge fire destroyed much of the city.  Anglo settlers first came to the area in the 1820s when Texas was still a part of Mexico, and Paris was incorporated in 1845 by the Republic of Texas.  It has served as the county seat of Lamar County ever since.  Paris originally derived its significance from its location on the National Road connecting Texas to the United States and its proximity to the Red River.  It later gained prominence as a railroad center and cotton manufacturer.
 Local residents continue to be very involved in agribusiness, including the raising of beef and dairy cattle, corn, soybeans, and cotton, which has seen a recent resurgence.  But Paris is also the home to major industries, such as Campbell Soup, Kimberly-Clark, and Turner Industries.  The city is also home to Paris Junior College, which was established in 1924 and remains one of the oldest junior colleges in Texas. The city is a regional medical center, serving northeast Texas and southeast Oklahoma, and counts Cox Field, a general aviation airport owned and operated by the city, as one of its many assets.  Paris’s population is about 26,000.
Two historic districts were created in 2004, which are protected by the city’s historic preservation ordinance and commission.  The Paris Commercial historic district  and the Church Street residential district are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation makes the buildings within the boundaries of the historic commercial district eligible for Federal and State  Historic Tax Credits. In the center of downtown is a plaza which boast a beautiful Italianate Fountain, given as a gift to the City of Paris in 1927. The Plaza has remained the community gathering spot.
Paris Main Street Program assists property owners to promote economic revitalization and growth in downtown.  The City of Paris is committed to revitalization and offers tax relief to property owners investing in the downtown district, and also offers a loan guarantee program for certain types of repairs and renovations.  Three different grant programs also assist those investing downtown.
Paris has many modern amenities with a small town charm. The community strives to inspire and nurture downtown as the cultural, social,  economic, and historic heart of Paris. 
Events  in downtown include: Paris Wine Fest, Summer Movies in the Park, Municipal band concerts, Cinco de Mayo art walk,  Farmers Market,   Hatch Chili Days, and Holiday in Paris activities, including the nighttime lighted Christmas parade.