When we talk about Francophone regions, we usually think of France first, then perhaps Belgium, and maybe Quebec or Morocco. But we often overlook the lasting influence France had on the United States. And even when we do think of it, New Orleans is usually the first city that comes to mind, with its vibrant colors, Mardi Gras celebrations, and rich Cajun culture. Today, though, I want to take you beyond and highlight other places across the U.S. where you can experience French influence through history, food, architecture, and more.
When I moved here, I was very surprised to see a sign that read “French Legation State Historic Site.” I had to Google it to find out what it was and why it was located here. I learned that it was built in 1841 (and is considered one of the oldest houses in Austin), during the brief period when Texas was an independent republic (1836–1845). France was one of the few countries to officially recognize the Republic of Texas and sent a diplomat, Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, to represent its interests. He lived in this neoclassical residence while negotiating trade deals and promoting French goods like wine and textiles. The site is a rare and elegant reminder of France’s short-lived diplomatic footprint in Texas.
Nestled along the Cane River in central Louisiana, Natchitoches is a town where layers of French heritage, Creole culture, and Southern tradition quietly converge. Founded in 1714, it is the oldest European settlement in the present-day Louisiana Purchase territory, predating New Orleans by four years.
Today, the historic district with its brick-lined streets, wrought-iron balconies, and preserved Creole architecture offers a thoughtful look into the region’s past. Natchitoches is also known for its Christmas Festival of Lights, which transforms the riverfront into a glowing spectacle each winter. While the beauty of the place is undeniable, its history also invites reflection on the lives and cultures that shaped it, often under unjust conditions.
When gold was discovered in California in 1848, thousands of French immigrants from Bordeaux, Alsace, and Paris settled in San Francisco, quickly becoming one of the city’s most influential early communities. They worked as bakers, merchants, and winemakers, helping shape the city’s food, culture, and commerce.
Their legacy lives on in places like Belden Place, once known as San Francisco’s French Quarter, and in landmarks like the Palace of the Legion of Honor, modeled after the French Pavilion at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. Additionally, the Alliance Française of San Francisco recently opened the Francophone Museum that is worth visiting. French roots also run deep in California’s wine country, and San Francisco remains home to beloved French spots like Le Marais Bakery, Maison Nico, and Bouche.
And of course, there’s Boston, which you might already be familiar with, and its French connections. But if you’re curious to see the city through a different lens, come join us for the French Library’s special walking tour, Rediscover Back Bay Through the French Lens. It’s the perfect way to uncover the French footprints in our own neighborhood.
Do you know of other U.S. cities with strong French heritage? We would love to hear your suggestions and let’s keep discovering together!
Austin, Texas
When I moved here, I was very surprised to see a sign that read “French Legation State Historic Site.” I had to Google it to find out what it was and why it was located here. I learned that it was built in 1841 (and is considered one of the oldest houses in Austin), during the brief period when Texas was an independent republic (1836–1845). France was one of the few countries to officially recognize the Republic of Texas and sent a diplomat, Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, to represent its interests. He lived in this neoclassical residence while negotiating trade deals and promoting French goods like wine and textiles. The site is a rare and elegant reminder of France’s short-lived diplomatic footprint in Texas.
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Nestled along the Cane River in central Louisiana, Natchitoches is a town where layers of French heritage, Creole culture, and Southern tradition quietly converge. Founded in 1714, it is the oldest European settlement in the present-day Louisiana Purchase territory, predating New Orleans by four years.
Today, the historic district with its brick-lined streets, wrought-iron balconies, and preserved Creole architecture offers a thoughtful look into the region’s past. Natchitoches is also known for its Christmas Festival of Lights, which transforms the riverfront into a glowing spectacle each winter. While the beauty of the place is undeniable, its history also invites reflection on the lives and cultures that shaped it, often under unjust conditions.
San Francisco, California
When gold was discovered in California in 1848, thousands of French immigrants from Bordeaux, Alsace, and Paris settled in San Francisco, quickly becoming one of the city’s most influential early communities. They worked as bakers, merchants, and winemakers, helping shape the city’s food, culture, and commerce.
Their legacy lives on in places like Belden Place, once known as San Francisco’s French Quarter, and in landmarks like the Palace of the Legion of Honor, modeled after the French Pavilion at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. Additionally, the Alliance Française of San Francisco recently opened the Francophone Museum that is worth visiting. French roots also run deep in California’s wine country, and San Francisco remains home to beloved French spots like Le Marais Bakery, Maison Nico, and Bouche.
And of course, there’s Boston, which you might already be familiar with, and its French connections. But if you’re curious to see the city through a different lens, come join us for the French Library’s special walking tour, Rediscover Back Bay Through the French Lens. It’s the perfect way to uncover the French footprints in our own neighborhood.
Do you know of other U.S. cities with strong French heritage? We would love to hear your suggestions and let’s keep discovering together!
Bruna Franco
Marketing & Membership Manager
Bruna first joined the Center as a member, looking for an opportunity to practice French and to be around French culture. She is now thrilled to be the Membership Manager and to provide members with the amazing experience she was previously able to enjoy herself. She is a native Portuguese speaker who, by the age of eight, knew she wanted to be multilingual someday. Working at the French Library now seems like a dream come true.
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I visited Ste Genevieve in Missouri along the banks of the Mississippi. It is one of the oldest French colonies west of the Mississippi. There is a National Historic site there and the town really celebrates its French heritage.
Visiting St Louis MO was an interesting reminder that much of the first wave of explorers of the US/Canadian interior were French traders, but they didn’t always leave much behind except place names. St. Louis has a weird pre-statehood history as a French city in Spanish territory, but from the beginning filled out with immigrants from all over the world. In the 1930s they curiously decided a good way to commemorate the importance of the founding era would be to raze what little was left of it and make a park. This is where the Arch is today.
The layout of Washington DC was done by Pierre L’Enfant. In the 90s it was the first place I saw roundabouts in the US.
While we’re talking about Missouri, St. Charles has a charming Main Street that dates back to French colonization. Founded in 1769 as “Les Petites Cotes,” it later became a crucial stop for Lewis and Clark’s expedition and served as Missouri’s first state capitol from 1821 to 1826.
While we’re talking about Missouri, St. Charles has a charming Main Street that dates back to French colonization. Founded in 1769 as “Les Petites Cotes,” it became a crucial stop for Lewis and Clark’s expedition. It served as Missouri’s first state capitol from 1821 to 1826, but the French influence is still visible in the architecture and vibe.