Come celebrate French culture and heritage at this year’s Bastille Day celebration at the French Legation State Historic Site!
Important Update from the French Legation:
Due to extreme temperatures this Saturday, we've adjusted the times for our Bastille Day celebration.
The grounds will now open to the public at 9:00am and organized activities outside will run between 10:00am - 2:00pm.
The historic structures will remain open until 4:00pm and visitors are welcome to enjoy the Café, and grounds, and continue playing lawn games throughout the afternoon.
The Café Legation will be open throughout the day for visitors to cool off and purchase refreshments.
If you plan on joining us this Saturday, keep an eye out on the weather - it's predicted to be a hot weekend! Make sure to dress accordingly and stay hydrated throughout your visit.
We will continue the program despite the heat, with paper fans available for visitors and nearby water station to keep us cool.
Volunteers Requested!
From 8:00 to 9:00 AM, LBC members can get into the grounds early and help set up the Bastille Day decorations on the gates and the exterior walls.
Saturday July 16, 2022
The French Legation has been the historic home of Austin’s largest Bastille Day festivities for nearly twenty-five years.
Join us for an afternoon of music, lawn games, face painting, stories, pétanque and more!
Bring a picnic and claim your spot on the grounds of Austin’s oldest recorded residence or stop by the Café Legation for all of your picnic needs.
Parking onsite is limited.
Parking along the east side of San Marcos Street, 8th and 9th streets is free before 6:00pm.
Pétanque
The Legation Boules Club will once again be the main feature of the day’s festivities. They will take over the walkways in front of the Legation house to play and offer lessons to interested visitors.
Face Painting and Story Time
Alliance Française has hired a face painter for the morning.
The Youth Engagement and World Languages Librarian from the main Austin Library Branch will be onsite to host a French-language story time in the Café that morning at 11:00am for kids.
We now have a sizeable collection of yard games that we will set up on the grassy areas between the walkways.
Café Legation Will Be Open
The Café Legation will be open for food or drinks, but we also encourage visitors to bring their own picnic and lawn furniture to relax and enjoy the grounds!
Cool French Cars
A former member of the LBC has agreed to display a few classic French Citroën and Renault cars at the site for everyone to see.
