Places named Paris around the world from the USA to Mexico, Greece to Peru, and even in Jamaica…
by Stefanie Michaels
Paris, France– the most well-known Paris in the world. Known as the City of Lights, is France’s capital and largest city– made even more famous for its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. But, are there other places named Paris?
One evening, we were talking all things France, when a puzzled look came across his face. ”How many cities or towns do you think are named Paris around the world?” he queried. We Googled it and we were surprised to learn how many we actually found around the world.
Here’s a sampling of places named Paris:
The USA and Canada:
- Paris, Illinois, USA – Paris, Illinois is a small city located in east-central Illinois and known for its historic downtown area and for the fairgrounds, which hosts several annual events throughout the year.
- Paris, Texas, USA – Paris, Texas is a city located in the northeastern part of the state. Its large World War I and II Memorial are points of interest and it is site of the Lamar County Historical Museum. It constructed an Eiffel Tower replica in 1993, with one major change– a hot red top was placed on top of it as a nod to the Lone Star State.
- Paris, Ontario, Canada – Paris, Ontario is a small town located in southern Ontario. It boasts historic architecture, which includes many 19th-century buildings. The nearby Paris Dam and Spillway are popular with hikers.
- Paris, Kentucky, USA – Paris, Kentucky is a city located in the centre of the state, famous for its horse racing industry, particularly the famous Kentucky Derby held each year in Louisville.
- Paris, Arkansas, USA – Paris, Arkansas is a small town known for the great outdoors. It has scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and hunting.
- Paris, Tennessee, USA – Paris, Tennessee boasts the nearby Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, offering a wide range of outdoor recreational options and their very own Eiffel Tower replica. (See video below).
- Paris, Idaho, USA – Paris, Idaho is a small community located in the south-eastern part of the state. It’s a beautiful lake community with a population hovering around 500 people.
Paris Around the World:
- Paris, Greece – Situated on the island of Evia in Greece, Paris is a small village known for its beautiful beaches and traditional Greek architecture.
- Paris, Honduras – Located in the Olancho Department of Honduras, it has rich culture and history as well as natural beauty.
- Paris, Jamaica – The Saint Ann Parish of Jamaica is where the small village of Paris can be found. It has pretty beaches and is near popular tourist destinations such as Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
- Paris, Mexico – Paris is a town located in the state of Veracruz in Mexico. Traditional Mexican architecture and rich cultural heritage make this a place to visit.
- Paris, Peru – Located in the Puno Region of Peru, it’s known for traditional Peruvian architecture and sits near the popular tourist destination of Lake Titicaca.
- Paris, Venezuela – This Paris is located in the state of Bolívar, one of the richest states in Venezuela, boasting stunning nature with rolling hills and the site of Angel Falls.
Did you know?
There are several reasons why there are so many cities named Paris.
The name Paris has its roots in ancient Greek mythology, where it was the name of the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. The name became popular in the Middle Ages as a given name, and it was also used to name several cities and towns across Europe. And, the fact that Paris, France, is one of the world’s most famous and influential cities, and its name has become associated with culture, art, and fashion, led to many cities worldwide being named after it to evoke the same sense of sophistication and elegance.
Colonization and migration have also played a role in the proliferation of cities named Paris. European colonizers often named new settlements after cities in their home countries, and immigrants migrating across the world to other countries, sometimes named their new settlements after the places they came from.
A little history:
There are several cities named Paris in the USA than the ones listed here, and their names often reflect French culture and language’s influence on the country’s history.
Some cities named Paris in the USA were founded by French explorers and settlers. For example, Paris, Texas, was founded by a Frenchman named John Chisum in the mid-1800s, and the town was named after Paris, France.
Then came the American Revolution, which was influenced by the ideals of the French Enlightenment, and the new country was often seen as a successor to the French Republic. This led to a surge of interest in the French language and culture, naming many American cities after French places. Some cities named Paris, such as Paris, Kentucky, was established during this time.
Paris fashion was often seen as a center of chic style and culture throughout the world, and its name has become associated with sophistication and elegance. This association led to the naming of many American cities after Paris to evoke these qualities.
In the 1800s, the expansion of railroads in the USA often led to the establishment of new towns and cities. Some of these towns were named after well-known European cities, including Paris.
