42nd Annual Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally

Routes for every rider

The Tour de Paris offers a range of route options designed to accommodate everyone from casual cyclists to seasoned endurance riders. The off-road option covers 14 to 24 miles primarily on the Northeast Texas Trail, a paved multi-use path that winds through some of the region's most scenic terrain. County road routes extend further — 20, 35, 57, 68, and 80 miles — taking riders through Lamar County's rolling farmland, small bridges, and quiet back roads.

All routes are well-staffed with stocked rest stops along the way. Maps for every distance can be downloaded from the event website in advance, so riders can plan their route and pace before race day.

Packet pickup and pre-ride dinner

Pre-ride packet pickup and registration takes place on Friday, July 17, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Love Civic Center. A $5 chicken spaghetti dinner is served at 4:00 PM for registered riders and guests — a longstanding Tour de Paris tradition that turns the evening before the ride into a community gathering in its own right.

On Saturday morning, riders gather at the Love Civic Center starting at 7:00 AM. The rally kicks off at 8:00 AM, and after the ride, participants enjoy hamburgers and smoothies back at the Civic Center. It is a full-day event with a strong community feel.

A tradition that says something about Paris

The Tour de Paris has run for 42 consecutive years, making it one of the oldest and most consistent community events in Lamar County. It draws riders from across Northeast Texas and beyond, fills downtown streets with activity, and generates the kind of foot traffic that benefits local businesses and hospitality venues. For anyone evaluating Paris as a place to invest, live, or do business, a community that sustains a 42-year event has something worth paying attention to.