French Legation State Historic Site

The front of the main house at the French Legation State Historic Site The front of the visitor center at the French Legation State Historic Site French Legation grounds French Legation Cafe interior Fireplace cooking The front gate of the French Legation State Historic Site The front of the main house at 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: 

  • Monday: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Tuesday – Friday: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Museum:

  • Tuesday – Saturday: 11 AM to 4:30 PM (Last Admission at 4:15pm)
  • Sunday – Monday: Closed   

Café & Gift Shop:

  • Monday: 7:00 AM – 10 AM, pre-order by 9:45 AM.
  • Tues - Friday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM, pre-order by 12:45 PM.
  • Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, pre-order by 4:45 PM.
  • Sunday: Closed

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

Now Accepting Submissions: Then & Now

A black and white photo of the French Legation building with a tree branch in the foreground

Upcoming Events

December 10

CANCELLED - Cooking Demonstration: Holidays in the 1850s

As of December 7, 2022 this program is unfortunately cancelled due to presenter illness. Please feel free to reach out to frenchlegation@thc.texas.gov or call 737-226-1779 with any questions. Otherwise, you can also stay up to date with events at...

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...

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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

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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