Honestly, if you think of "Paris", the Eiffel Tower will shoot you right away, but here in the heart of Illinois there is a completely different flair – and that's exactly what I find so fascinating about Paris's sights. The city was founded in 1833, named after the French metropolis, and has since then kept a bit of this romantic name while rooting in the dusty plains of Edgar County. The whole Paris Township surrounds the city like a cozy, slightly sleepy suburb, and the County office is just a short walk away if you have to do the official stuff.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here there is an authentic piece of Central Germany-America that you don't find in any guide. The old railway station, a relic from the 1900s, is still a popular meeting place – not because it is particularly chic, but because it beats the heart of the city. And when you arrive by car, take the Interstate 57 to exit 124; the road takes you directly to the centre where you can find the small café on Main Street, which serves the best coffee far and wide – no joke.
A short detour to Edgar County Courthouse is also worth mentioning because the building breathes a bit of history, which you can only find in dusty history books. And yes, all this is easy to reach with the local bus that comes several times a day from the surrounding villages – so grab your suitcases and experience the real “Paris” away from the tourist bus.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was Lincoln Trail State Parka piece of land that feels like a forgotten chapter from a Westernroman. The path leads over the old Highway 1, which has hardly more than a few percussions and a sign with the inscription “Welcome to Illinois” – this is almost an experience for itself. I parked at the small visitor centre, which is hardly more than a wooden building, and then wandered along the route along the Kaskaskia River, where the water flows slowly as if it had forgotten the rush of the city. The view from the viewpoint over the wide fields is as if you take the heart of the Middle West in hand – no joke, that is almost meditative.
A short detour to the north brought me to Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park. The old canal, which should take ships from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi, is today a popular path for cyclists and walkers. I settled on one of the rustic wooden bridges, while a few Canadians (yes, the real Canadians who camp here in the summer) spoke loudly about the best fishing places. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – that was clear to me last week when I suddenly drove in circles after a long day of photography because all places were occupied.
Next south, almost like a secret retreat, this is Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area. There are more ducks here than people, and that's exactly what I'm looking for when I want to escape the hustle and bustle. I spent half a day sitting on the shore and watching how a beaver finishes his dam – a spectacle you don't see every day. Access is via an inconspicuous field road that is hardly signposted, so better to turn on the GPS, otherwise you end in nowhere.
A little further west, almost on the border to Indiana, lies the small town Hillsboro with its charming Old Town Hall. The red brick building looks as if it had jumped out of a film by Wes Anderson – and not without reason: The interior exhibition about local history is surprisingly well curated, and I even found an old photo of a horse car that reminded me of my childhood. Parking is a children's game here, because the town hall is surrounded by a small parking lot that is rarely full.
A short detour to the east leads to the Vermilion River State Park – a place I used to overlook because it was not on the usual tourist lists. The river sounds through a dense network of trees, and the noise of the water is almost the only sound you hear here. I made a small picnic there, while an older couple close by unpacked their fishing accessories and told me that they have come here for over 30 years every year. This is the real heart of Illinois: people who cultivate traditions without talking big about it.
At the end of my small tour, of course, I had to Paris Cityscape, Illinois take another look – not the city centre, but what is a few miles outside: the old railway museum in Edgar County. There are rusted locomotives that tell more stories than any museum in Chicago. I found an old sign that was still carrying the words “Freight Service – 1923”, and that reminded me of how much this region was once a hub. The museum has a small parking lot that is usually free as long as you do not arrive on the first Saturday a month when the local model railway club meeting takes place.
When you explore the surroundings of Paris, Paris Township, Edgar, Illinois, you quickly discover that the true treasures are not in the crowded metropolises, but in the quiet, slightly neglected corners that reflect the real life here. From vast natural parks to historical waterways to small museums – these Paris Attractions offer an authentic image of the region you should not miss.
I must admit right at the beginning that the true heart of Paris, Illinois, is not in any hip café, but in the imposing Edgar County Courthouse, which rises majesticly over the main road – a quarry of 1891, which has more stories to tell than some guides. I stood there on a windy Tuesday morning, the sun just seemed like the brick pattern almost glistening, and I wondered why people even travel to Paris, France if they can have a piece of real American splendour here. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there is a real problem because the annual “County Fair” blocks the street and everyone tries to get a place next to the old courthouse.
A few blocks on, hardly overlooking, lies the Paris Public Library. The building is a real jewel from the time of the Carnegie Foundations – high ceilings, massive wooden windows and a reading room that is so quiet that you can hear almost the rustling of the pages when you sit down. I once borrowed a book about the history of the region and caught the librarian who told me that the building was opened in 1903 and has hardly been renovated since then – a real case of “less is more”. If you happen to have a bicycle, you can reach the library via the small cycle path that leads directly from the park; this saves you the laborious search for a parking lot.
Now comes a place I always like to mention because he surprises me personally over and over again: St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Many tourists overlook them because they do not advertise with bright neon lights, but the gothic facade and the artful stained glass are a real eye-catcher. I was there on a Sunday when the church held a small concert – no joke, the acoustics was so good that I almost thought I was in a cathedral in Paris, France. The entrance is of course free, and the best: you can enter the nave at any time as long as you do not interrupt during the fair. A short walk from the library, so practically if you want to get your cultural dose in a train.
If you're looking for a place where you can take off your shoes and just let the soul go, then it's Paris Community Park That's right. The small lake there is not only a popular spot for ducks, but also for the local anglers who like to retreat with an old wooden chair and a bait. I once made a picnic with friends, while an older gentleman perfected his fishing game beside us – a picture for the gods. The park has enough free parking, but on weekends it can be filled because then the local disc golf tournament takes place and everyone tries to get a free space.
A bit further south, almost on the edge of the city, this is Edgar County Historical Society Museum. I have to admit, I was skeptical, because small museums often only have dusty exhibits, but here there are actually interactive displays about the railway that the village in the 19th. Century crossed, and an impressive collection of photographs showing the life of the early settlers. I found an old map that shows exactly the same street I'm standing on – a small shock, how little things change. The museum does not have a large parking lot, but a small courtyard behind the building is usually enough as long as you don't get to the main traffic time.
Another hidden jewel I mention is the old Paris Mill on the edge of the river. The mill has been shut down since the 1880s, but the work and the huge water wheels are still impressive. I took a photo there, while a local photographer told me that the mill used to be the backbone of the municipality because it ground the grain for the whole region. Today it is a popular spot for Instagram lovers looking for a rustic background. Access is a little narrow, so bring a good footwear, and parking is best done in the small field behind the building – there is enough space for a few cars without having to push you through narrow alleys.
Last but not least, a short hint for those who really want to see everything: If you have an overview of the Paris Attractions look, then just look at the map in the town hall – yes, the old town hall itself is a little pride of the city, with a clock that has been ticking reliably for decades. I took a few brochures there that list all the places mentioned, and I must say this is the most convenient way to plan your tour without searching on the internet every time. And if you still have a moment of time, just stroll along the main street where you can find some antique shops that have more charm than any chain of coffee bars.
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