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French Legation State Historic Site

The front gate of the French Legation State Historic Site

A group of people of varying ages seated on an expanse of green rolling lawns with a historic house in the background.

802 San Marcos Street
Austin, TX 78702
Parking lot located at 900 East 9th Street
737-226-1454

frenchlegation@thc.texas.gov

Driving map of the French Legation building

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One of the oldest houses in Austin, the French Legation opened in 1841 as a home and diplomatic outpost for the French chargé d’affaires to the Republic of Texas, Alphonse Dubois, after France recognized the Republic of Texas as a sovereign nation. The site tells the story of Texas’ settlement and the growth of one of the capital city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Hours

Grounds:

Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Museum:

Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Last admission at 4:15 p.m.)

Café & Gift Shop:

Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day

Admission Fees

Adults (18 and over)
$7

Seniors (65 and over)
$6

Children (ages 6-18)
$4

Children (ages 5 and under)
Free

Military Veterans
$6

Active Military (with ID)
Free

College Students (with ID)
$4

Family Rate
$14

Tour Groups
(Reservation Required)

School Groups
(Reservation Required)

Featured

Café and Visitor Center

Upcoming Events

December 9

Cooking Demonstration: Holidays in the 1850s

Savor the smells of a full 1850s holiday meal in preparation in the home’s detached kitchen. Holiday celebrations in early Texas always included good food, and entertaining family and friends. Turkey, chicken, and duck, beef, pork, and wild game...

January 27

French Legation Flea Market

Join us in January for a new East Austin tradition - the French Legation Flea Market!

We're transforming our grounds into a 2-acre, open-air vintage, antiques and crafts market. Interested vendors can apply via our Microsoft Forms or ...

January 27

Hands on History: Transferware Manicures

Join us for a talk with Texas Historical Commission's own, Jamie Ross, Archeological Collections Manager, for a fascinating talk and demonstration about the history and modern implications of transferware pottery. In honor of the French Legation'...

See full calendar of events

From the Blog

French Diplomacy with the Republic of Texas

After Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836, the Republic of Texas found itself in dire straits. The Republic was heavily in debt from the revolution and its newly won freedom remained precarious. The Mexican congress refused to recognize Texas independence as outlined in the Treaties of Velasco, signed by the imprisoned President Antonio López de Santa Anna. The threat of reconquest...

Visit Eight State Historic Sites to Experience the Republic of Texas Era

Step back in time and experience the period of the Texas Republic in person or virtually at one of these Texas Historical Commission state historic sites.

San Felipe de Austin

Commemorating the location where, in 1823, Stephen F. Austin established a headquarters for his colony in Mexican Texas, San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site and its museum share the stories of early...

French Legation Construction Update

By Andy Rhodes, Managing Editor, The Medallion

In 2017, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law officially transferring the French Legation in East Austin to the Texas Historical Commission. Since then, the agency has been meticulously preparing and executing plans to reopen the site to the public.

The THC’s Historic Sites Division has been overseeing a wide range of activity, from...

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