French Legation State Historic Site
Welcome to one of twenty-two historic sites operated by the Texas Historical Commission, the French Legation State Historic Site.
This historic legation building is located on 3 acres in East Austin, first built in 1841 to represent the French Government in the new Republic of Texas. The home is now a museum focused on France's role in Texas history, a great place to get to know some local history you may not have heard about before.
The French Legation State Historical Museum is among the oldest extant frame structures in Austin, earning it a place on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally the home of former French Diplomat Alphonse Dubois, the official French chargé d'affaires. After the former French diplomat moved out the home was bought by Dr. Joseph W. Robertson in 1848, who lived here with his wife, 11 children, and 9 enslaved workers. One of his daughters, Lilly, actually lived here her entire life, opening the home, what she called the 'Old French Embassy', for public tours in her later years.
Today the Texas Historical Commission (previously the Daughters of the Republic of Texas or DRT) offers guided tours of the home. See the main structure, detached Creole kitchen, plus the grounds lush grasses, native trees, and formal gardens outside. The entire time you will learn about the legacy of the French government in Texas, as well as about the homes various owners over the years.
