Paris, incorporated in 1849, is located in eastern Illinois in Edgar County (of which it is the county seat) about 45 miles southeast of Champaign and 20 miles northwest of Terre Haute, IN, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 150 and SRs 1, 116 and 133. The Wabash River flows along the Indiana state line about 15 miles to the east.
Nearby recreation includes activities around the Twin Lakes area 5 miles to the northwest and trips to Lincoln Trail State Park located about 15 miles south of town.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 9,024, a decrease of 81 since 1990.