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Did you know that a carving on a façade indicates where the Texas Embassy in Paris used to be? Let me show you the exact location of this surprising historic twist.

When Texas was an independent Republic

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In 1836, the Mexican province of Tejas declared its independence from Mexico. This historic event was called the Texas Revolution. Mexico refused to recognise the independence of the lost territory unlike the United States who did in March 1837.

Needless to say Mexico did not agree to the boundaries with the new state. Therefore the independent Republic of Texas sought to tie international alliances with countries such as England and France.

On December 29, 1845 Texas was annexed by the United States and ceased to be an independent country. It then became the 28th state of the Union.

Where to find the former Texas Embassy in Paris?

What is commonly referred to a Texas Embassy in Paris was in fact a Legation. This meant a diplomatic mission managed by someone with a lower-ranking official than an ambassador.

The exact site of the Texas Legation in Paris is at 1 Place Vendôme in the 1st arrondissement. Known as Hôtel Bataille de Francès, the mansion dating from 1705 has a carving on its wall that indicates where the Legation used to be. It reads:

Embassy of Texas

In 1842-1843 this building was the seat of the Embassy of the Republic of Texas in Paris.

By the French-Texan Treaty of the 29 September 1839, France was the first nation to recognise the Republic of Texas, an independent state between 1836 and 1845.

The first chargé d’affaires appointed by France in 1839 was Alphonse Dubois de Saligny.

In turn France opened a Legation in Austin, not far from the current Texas Capitol building.

There was also a Texas Legation in London, located in Pickering Place near St. James’ Palace.

English-French vocabulary

ambassador ambassadeur (m) America Amérique (f) boundary frontière, limite (f) country pays (m) embassy ambassade (f) independence indépendance (f) Legation Légation (f) Mexico Mexique (m) Republic of Texas République du Texas (f) Texas Texas (m) state état (m) United States États-Unis (m,p)

Check out google map for the exact location of the Texas Embassy in Paris. Closest métro station: Tuileries (line 1)

Do you know of other offbeat places in the 1st arrondissement of Paris? Share them with us by commenting below!