Take The Tour
Select a room to take a virtual visit into the French Legation Historic House, at the French Legation Museum. This house was built as the residence and diplomatic post for the government of France in the Republic of Texas. The home later served as the residence of Dr. Joseph W. Robertson and his large family.
Below is the 1934 Historic American Buildings Survey floor plan of the French Legation drawn by W. Grasty-Del for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of National Parks, Buildings, and Reservations.
Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Historic American Buildings Survey or Historic American Engineering Record, HABS TEX,227-AUST,1-Sheet 2 of 4
Choose A Feature
DUBOIS STUDY
ROBERSTON GIRLS’ BEDROOM
THE WINE CELLAR
ROBERTSON MASTER BEDROOM
DUBOIS PARLOR
Other Structures
RECONSTRUCTED KITCHENRECREATED PRIVY
CARRIAGE HOUSE
STONE WALL
This period room showcases a collection of fine French antiques from the 1800s. Pieces include two tapestry fauteuils, Irish lap desk, Unicorn wall hanging, and an elaborate cellarette. Period Catholic artifacts, including crosses and a prayer chair, are also located in this room. Alphonse Dubois de Saligny’s original built-in cabinetry still exists in the south-west corner of this room.
This small bedroom may have served as the only original bedroom in the French Legation. As a bachelor, Alphonse Dubois de Saligny did not require much space. The room was converted into a children's bedroom by the Robertson family.
The largest bedroom of the historic home features the beautiful canopy bed and other American Victorian furnishings which belonged to Dr. Joseph Robertson and his wife Lydia Lee Robertson. While this room was originally constructed as a dining room or informal parlor for the French diplomat Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, the Robertson family used it as their master bedroom while keeping the principal features of the room, including Dubois’ built-in closets, intact.
Alphonse Dubois de Saligny was well-known in Austin for his lavish wining and dining events. This formal parlor was intended to be the site for such important diplomatic occasions. 
The first kitchen of the French Legation was constructed as a separate building, which was destroyed by fire in 1880. A more modern kitchen was built by the Robertsons as an addition on the rear of the house. That addition was likely a lean-to structure that included a dining space and later an indoor bathroom. The addition was removed after falling into disrepair. 
During the archeological investigation of the 1960s, a cluster of outhouse sites were uncovered. Today, a reproduction privy is located at that site. Since the Robertsons used an outhouse until the 1880s, it was necessary to occasionally move the privy to a new, but nearby, location.
By the 1970s, the French Legation Museum required more space for its exhibits and operations. A large structure, in the style of a period carriage house, was constructed by architect Raiford Stripling. Though the size and location of the original stables is currently unknown, the reproduction carriage house serves as the visitors’ center, offices, and gift shop space. Additionally, the carriage house and its loft have been upgraded with climate control, restrooms, kitchenette, and large windows overlooking downtown Austin.
By 1952, work was underway to construct a native-stone wall along the west, south, and east sides of the French Legation property. In the 1970s the northern portion of the wall was completed.