Texas Eiffel Tower Replica
In the early 1990’s Babcock & Wilcox Company built an Eiffel Tower replica in Paris, Texas using volunteer parts and labor. This metal structure replaced an earlier wooden version that was destroyed by a tornado.
Unlike other Eiffel Tower replicas around the USA, the city of Paris, Texas chose to add a touch of “yee haw” to their “ooh-la-la” by topping their tower with a bright red cowboy hat.
I think it looks pretty spiffy!
At a height of 65 feet, the replica is pretty teeny compared to the original Eiffel Tower in that other Paris. It also looks a lot like an oil derrick, but – hey – this fits right in with the Texas side of things. Plus, as you can see, it’s much taller than anything nearby and is mighty photogenic.
The town of Paris, Texas makes a fun day trip. There’s a gorgeous Italian marble fountain in the town square, which is flanked by antique shops. The day I visited the local bakery was closed, but I hear they make great pastries. For details on what to see and do, check out my post, Weekend Road Trip to Paris, Texas
Paris, Texas Eiffel Tower Address
If you’re ever in Paris, Texas here is the address for the Eiffel Tower Replica: Love Civic Center, 2025 South Collegiate Drive, Paris, TX 75460.
More A to Z blog posts
This was my post for the letter E of the A to Z blogging challenge. Tune in tomorrow to see what quirky Texan thing the letter F will bring!
In the meantime, click on this link to find out what other A to Z blogging challenge folks are writing about.
Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
[…] mentioning Paris, Texas recently in the post A to Z Texas: E is for Eiffel Tower I’m bringing up that little burg again because it’s home to a quirky statue known […]
[…] mentioning Paris, Texas recently in the post A to Z Texas: E is for Eiffel Tower1 I m bringing up that little burg again because it s home to a quirky statue known locally as the, […]
That looks damn neat :)
Hi Damyanti,
It’s even better in person!
~Tui
This makes me laugh! I knew there was a Paris Texas (because of the movie) but I didn’t know it had a cowboy Eiffel tower!
Hi Ruby,
Oddly enough, the movie Paris, Texas was filmed in a different part of Texas. There are a lot more trees in the real Paris, Texas than in the movie.
~Tui
Love the cowboy hat on top. Very funny.
Hi Rinelle,
I agree. The cowboy hat really makes it!
~Tui
That’s an amusing touch to have the big Stetson with the ooh la la! Brisbane in Australia has a miniature Eiffel Tower.
Love the sub-title of your blog! Too true and we tend to take places close to home as mundane and boring…you’re showing that this just isn’t so.
Pauleen @ http://troppont.wordpress.com
A to Z 2013
Hi Pauleen,
I think people tend to overlook all the interesting places nearby. I once lived in a town by the water, for instance, and was amazed by how rarely the locals visted the beach!
~Tui
I mentioned that other Paris in my post today also, and I am sure I would like your Texas version better. Love the hat.
Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com
AtoZ #42
Hi Rhonda,
Ill check out your A to Z post. Thanks for stopping by!
~Tui
I’ve been to Paris, Texas, only once. I think I was six or seven. I’m sure I saw this, but I don’t remember it. Thanks!
You may have seen the wood Eiffel Tower replica that was destroyed by a tornado. I have not been able to find out which year it was wiped out, but I do know that the new metal tower went up in the early 90’s.
~Tui
This sure gave me a reason to smile! Trust the Texans to put their unique mark on something! :)
Hi Corinne,
Yes! This is certainly a cheery monument. I love how playful it is and that it was created by volunteers. We need more fun community projects like this one.
~Tui
LOL Leave it to Texas to put a hat on top of their Eiffel tower.
Hi Patricia,
Yeah, from what I hear, they added the hat to make the tower a wee bit taller. They were upset over another Eiffel Tower replica up in Tennessee (which I’ve yet to see, but would definitely love to check out.)
~Tui
Oh, my! I love this, I love this! I love this!
I need to start blocking out my route to get to Odessa, TX where my daughter now lives… and is going to have my first Grandbaby this year… I want to find all the cool places like this Eiffel tower. How perfect is this… It is sooooo stereotypical of what people think when they think TEXAS!
So happy to pop over here for a visit!!
Hi Julie,
I’m excited about your road trip & I have a few ideas for fun things for you to see along the way – such as me! ;p
~Tui
At first I thought you had photoshopped the red cowboy hat into the picture. Ive only been to TX once for a weekend and this just makes me realize how much I don’t know about Texas. Great post! Found you through the A-Z challenge. Happy Friday!
Hi Shannon,
Yeah, I can see how that bright red hat looks a bit fakey. It was something like 114 degrees the day I snapped that photo. It was beautiful out, the colors showed up nicely, but, oh, the heat!
Thanks for swinging by. I’ll be sure to see how your A to Z posts are going, too.
~Tui
Oh man. I had no idea! You should turn this year’s A to Z posts into a Texas roadside attraction guide.
Actually, Charlie, I am thinking of beefing them up a little and making a fun ebook for quirky things from A to Z in north Texas!
Thanks for swinging by. :)
~Tui
This tower is brilliant. I love the hat :D
Thank you, Rebecca!
Without the bright red hat, the tower would be kinda dull, in my opinion.
~Tui
I didn’t know that this existed- but thanks! I’m already thinking of themes for next year and may do a-z about michigan :)
Hi Megan,
I hope you do an A to Z guide to Michigan. It’s fun to dig up interesting tidbits about one’s home state.
~Tui
Only in Texas, lol. Fun picture.
A-Z
Hi Sandy,
Haha – yes, I know what you mean! Wait until you see what I’ve got lined up for the letters H and J…:)
~Tui