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. 

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Location

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

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Hours

Tuesday to Saturday 
Grounds: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 
Museum: 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Last admission at 4:15 p.m.) 

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Tickets

Adult $7
Senior/Veteran/Teacher/First Responder $6
Child (6-17) $4
Child (5 and under) Free
Family (2 adults & 1 child) $14, each additional child $1

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Programs

Guided Tours 
School Tours 
Group Tours

See the site

Visitors on grounds walkway
Cooking demonstration in the kitchen
Visitors in the bedroom of the main house
Living room of the main house
Bedroom in main house
Front porch of the main house with the capital on the background
Kitchen
Exterior of the main house
Exterior of the visitor center
Child and volunteer during an archeology demonstration
Visitors on grounds walkway
Cooking demonstration in the kitchen
Visitors in the bedroom of the main house
Living room of the main house
Bedroom in main house
Front porch of the main house with the capital on the background
Kitchen
Exterior of the main house
Exterior of the visitor center
Child and volunteer during an archeology demonstration
Visitors on grounds walkway

Plan Your Visit

See everything there is to do at the French Legation, and other local attractions.

Kitchen

French Legation History

Alphonse Dubois de Saligny (1809-1888) was a secretary to the French legation to the United States who saw financial opportunities in the new Republic.

Living room of the main house

Rent French Legation

Generations of families have celebrated their special occasions at the French Legation, the oldest recorded residence in Austin.

Visitors in the bedroom of the main house

Support the Friends of the French Legation

Friends of the French Legation is a "Fiscally Sponsored Project" of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (a 501(C)(3) nonprofit charitable organization). Your gift will directly support this organization. 

Events at French Legation

Image of French Legation Hearth

Open Hearth Cooking Demo

Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Stop by between 9 AM and 4 PM to experience and learn about open hearth cooking with this cooking demonstration! Admission to the historic structures required.

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Grains of Time: Barton Springs Mill Lecture

Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Join an expert from Barton Springs Mill in this lecture on the history and sourcing of heritage whole grains! Tickets available on the day of.

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French Legation in the Blog

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.

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Support Our Historic Sites

Make a gift to the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting the historic sites of the THC.

Donate

More information

Visitors Guide
Connect with us
State Historic Site Rules