Forestbrook Estates

D.R. Horton offers a range of new homes for sale in Paris, Texas. Located in Northeast Texas at the edge of the Piney Woods, Paris serves as the county seat for Lamar County. Known for its replica of the Eiffel Tower, adorned with a cowboy hat in a nod to its Texan identity, the city embraces both local pride and global inspiration. With a variety of fun community events and local businesses, it is easy to settle into Paris, Texas and make it home. Many of our communities in and around Paris come with amenities to enjoy, and all of our new construction homes offer spacious, open floorplans and smart home technology.

Why choose Paris, Texas

Paris, Texas blends Southern charm, historical significance, and community connection into a welcoming and fun town. While the Texas Eiffel Tower gets a lot of attention, the downtown square is the true heart of the town. The square features many historic buildings and architecture, making it a beautiful place to take a stroll or enjoy one of the many events hosted in town. With many local businesses from boutiques to restaurants, it’s clear that the community values the economic contributions of its own residents.

However, when you want a little something different, it’s easy to get away. Paris is only fifteen miles from the Oklahoma border and just over 60 miles from the Arkansas border. For those willing to spend a bit longer in the car, it’s about two hours to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Community life in Paris, Texas

Paris, Texas is a small town with a strong sense of community, connection, and local pride, which can be seen through events and annual festivals hosted by the city. 903 Sun Sets is an annual concert series, held every Thursday in June on the downtown square. The event features food trucks and local vendors in addition to the offerings of the downtown businesses. The free concerts are a great way to kick off summer and enjoy fun for the whole family. Paris offers a variety of these kinds of family-friendly events and activities. The annual Paris Balloon and Music Festival in September features tethered hot air balloon rides and balloon glows at the Lamar County Fairgrounds. The festival includes a KidZone, over fifty local vendors, monster truck rides, helicopter rides, concerts, and a 5K race. Proceeds from the event go directly to support the community by contributing to the event fund and offering local scholarships. Many of the organizations hosting events in Paris, TX are giving back to the community with more than the fun event experience. The annual Paris Quilt Show, hosted by the Red River Valley Quilt Guild, both highlights the skill and artistry of local quilters and benefits the Paris Pregnancy Care Center.

While concerts and festivals are always fun, Paris is also home to a variety of annual food events and cook-offs. Paris Wine Fest is hosted by downtown businesses and features Texas wines and local restaurants. A ticketed event, the Wine Fest offers an exclusive evening of local Texas wines, treats, and sweets. The annual Slade Baker Memorial Crawfish Cookoff is another ticketed event with a much different vibe. The event is held in honor of former local firefighter, Slade Baker, and features a Crawfish Cookoff for a title trophy, people’s choice award, or best side dish. Tickets to the event include access to a kids corner, live music, and all you can eat crawfish from those competing in the Crawfish Courtyard. Proceeds from ticket sales go directly to a scholarship fund for the fire academy and support families in need. If mud bugs aren’t your thing, the annual Paris Steak Fest each April is, of course, focused on steak, though there are appetizers and other foods available as well. The event itself, with the live music, local vendors, and beer garden, is free, but to try the steaks you need to purchase a wristband. The event has become one of the largest events in Paris, Texas and benefits a different local non-profit each year.

For those who love to be the chef, fresh meat and produce from the local Farmers Market can help make your dish the talk of the town. The Paris Farmers and Artisan Market is held year round, with adjusted hours during the winter months. In August, the market hosts an annual Fiesta featuring Hatch Chilis. In addition to the regular vendors, the Hatch Chili Fest market features games, mariachi bands, family fun, and of course, roasted Hatch chilis from New Mexico.

Like its namesake across the sea, Paris, Texas values the arts. Several art galleries on the square showcase local talent. The town has murals painted throughout the downtown area, so you can enjoy interesting art even on days the galleries are closed. Paris is also home to a community theatre, which produces plays and entertainment for a range of audiences. Shows are performed at the Plaza Theatre, a historic venue on the downtown square.

While the events and activities are certainly a draw, Paris is also home to several interesting sites and museums. The Lamar County Historical Museum showcases exhibits that tell the story of the area's rich heritage and includes exhibits and artifacts of interest dating back to the Texas Revolution. The Valley of the Caddo Museum and Cultural Center also offers a wide range of interesting exhibits and information about Native American history, art, archeology, and more. The museum rotates exhibits every four months to provide greater coverage of their collection. For an in-depth look at life in the 19th and 20th centuries, The Sam Bell Maxey House, built in the late 1860s and home to the politically well-known Maxey family for 100 years, offers tours and now serves as a museum. The house is furnished with antique furnishing, clothing, and familial photos and records; it is home to over 10,000 artifacts from the family.

Outdoor fun in Paris, Texas

Paris and the surrounding area is known for their gently rolling hills, fertile farmland, and abundant natural beauty. The rural landscape provides a tranquil setting for residents and visitors, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation. Lake Crook and Pat Mayse Lake are both within fifteen miles of Paris and have trails, camping sites, and fishing. The Lake Crook Trail is a local favorite for hiking as it provides scenic views of the lake and wildlife as it winds around the southeastern shore. Both Lake Crook and Pat Mayse Lake are known for catfish, which provide excellent sport fishing, and Pat Mayse Lake is home to an abundance of largemouth bass and crappie. Pat Mayse Lake is also the location of the annual Uncle Jesse Big Bass Fishing Tournament, which benefits local children’s organizations.

The Lake Gibbons Goose Refuge, sometimes referred to as the Gambill Goose Reserve, is a beautiful retreat into peace and tranquility. The Refuge began when John C. Gambill, a Lamar County local and the reason for the alternative name, rescued a pair of crippled geese from a trapper in the early 1920s; a group of wild geese landed and bonded with his two recovering geese and became the beginning of a private goose reserve. The land was converted into a state reserve in the mid-1930s and is now home to about 300 geese. The area is peaceful and free to the public. Residents enjoy hiking around the area and enjoying the natural beauty.

Those looking for a walk through town–and the past–can enjoy the Historic Homes tour or the Walking History Tour. The city has one of the largest collections of 1916 architecture in the United States, and the town’s tourism website provides a map for each tour and the story about each stop. The homes range in extravagance from cottages to mansions, but the lifestyle and legacy of each is included with their story. Likewise, the Walking History Tour features sites throughout the city and details the development of the area and contributions of important residents. The tour ends at the Culbertson Fountain, a gift from prominent businessman J.J Culbertson, which is recognized for its beauty.

It’s easy to find places to bike in Paris, whether you are interested in a journey through the country or a competition on an asphalt track. Trail de Paris is part of a larger bike trail through nature, the Northeast Texas Trail, which currently encompasses 130 miles. The entire portion designated as the Trail de Paris is paved and is a popular destination for biking, running, and spending time with family and friends. For a different kind of biking experience, Paris is also home to a 16,000 square foot pump track. Pump Track Paris is a symmetrical asphalt track, and while it does host elite competitions, it also includes a loop for new riders and children. Those willing to pack up their bikes and drive about fifteen miles away can enjoy mountain biking in a beautiful setting. The Barber Hills Mountain Bike Trails have routes of varying difficulty levels near Pat Mayse Lake; mountain biking enthusiasts note that the trails are well-maintained, making the ride even more enjoyable.

The Paris Sports Complex offers additional outdoor recreation opportunities. Free to the public and open year-round, the complex features softball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and even pickleball courts. It’s easy to get together with friends or family to play a pick-up game of just about any sport with these amenities located right in town.

Businesses and economics in Paris, Texas

Paris, Texas has a large concentration of manufacturing jobs and there are a number of major employers in both the town and Lamar County. Kimberly-Clark, Campbell Soup, Delco Trailers, Huhtamaki, and American SpiralWeld have manufacturing centers in the area. Manufacturing is not the only major industry in the area; Paris Regional Health, Paris Junior College, Paris Print Works, and local and county governments are also major employers in the area. The town is supportive of local economic ventures, as well, ranging from small business to agriculture. With the city focusing on attracting new industries and supporting existing businesses, Paris is always working to continue to strengthen its business climate.

Four major highways serve Paris, Texas: US Highway 82, US Highway 271, State Highways 19/24, and State Highway Loop 286, and the Kiamichi Railroad, which connects to major rail interchanges throughout the United States, also serves the area’s industrial and economic shipping needs. The easy access to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Oklahoma, and major interchanges make conducting business from Paris easy.

What makes Paris, Texas a great place to live

Paris, Texas offers the charm and appeal of small town life without giving up entertainment and events. The city is always hosting concerts, cook-offs, festivals, and kid activities, so there is always something to do. The busy calendar helps create a connected community proud of both its heritage and future plans. With a fun Texas Eiffel tower and a beautiful historic square, the town is full of personality, opportunity, and interest.

New construction homes in Paris, Texas

D.R. Horton’s new houses for sale in Paris, Texas are great for people at any stage of life. With access to great job opportunities, lots of events, and easy access to outdoor recreation, D.R. Horton communities in Paris offer a little something for everyone. Browse our listings of Paris, Texas new construction homes, or schedule a tour today.