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.
![location pin icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-loc.png)
Location
802 San Marcos Street
Austin, TX 78702
Parking lot located at 900 East 9th Street
737-226-1454
Contact us
See map
![clock icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-clock.png)
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.)
![tickets icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-ticket.png)
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
![calendar icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-cal.png)
Programs
Guided Tours
School Tours
Group Tours
See the site
![Visitors on grounds walkway](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=XBTh6Ika)
![Cooking demonstration in the kitchen](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_02.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=9GkDq_V_)
![Visitors in the bedroom of the main house](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_03.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=RMNLbIDQ)
![Living room of the main house](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_04.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=hXFHLjn9)
![Bedroom in main house](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_05.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=ltx7bi4-)
![Front porch of the main house with the capital on the background](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_06.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=308Q47aP)
![Kitchen](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_07.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=jywL7zMn)
![Exterior of the main house](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_08.jpg?h=74243c3f&itok=Obgr-Egd)
![Exterior of the visitor center](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_09.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=_1Ybs1k9)
![Child and volunteer during an archeology demonstration](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French-Legation_Archreology-Fair-2023_58.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=xzdf5eK9)
![Visitors on grounds walkway](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=XBTh6Ika)
![Cooking demonstration in the kitchen](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_02.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=9GkDq_V_)
![Visitors in the bedroom of the main house](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_03.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=RMNLbIDQ)
![Living room of the main house](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_04.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=hXFHLjn9)
![Bedroom in main house](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_05.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=ltx7bi4-)
![Front porch of the main house with the capital on the background](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_06.jpg?h=46303fb5&itok=308Q47aP)
![Kitchen](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_07.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=jywL7zMn)
![Exterior of the main house](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_08.jpg?h=74243c3f&itok=Obgr-Egd)
![Exterior of the visitor center](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_09.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=_1Ybs1k9)
![Child and volunteer during an archeology demonstration](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/French-Legation_Archreology-Fair-2023_58.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=xzdf5eK9)
![Visitors on grounds walkway](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=xLZFdb72)
Plan Your Visit
See everything there is to do at the French Legation, and other local attractions.
![Kitchen](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_07.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=GVodMX8a)
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](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_04.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=6zWK5JQm)
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](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/French%20Legation_03.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=YDNhNk1S)
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
French Legation in the Blog
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.
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