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Why Does Washington, DC Feel So French?
Wondering why Washington, DC feels like a slice of France in America? The connection runs deep and it’s not just about the croissants. The U.S. capital owes much of its design and charm to French-born architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who laid out DC’s famous boulevards, traffic circles and grand sightlines.
French Culture and History in DC
Seeking French culture in Washington, DC? You’ll find it everywhere, from historic landmarks to authentic cuisine. One of the most famous French contributions to the U.S. is located just across the river: the Bastille Key, gifted by the Marquis de Lafayette, a close ally of George Washington and a hero of both the American and French Revolutions.
What to Do in DC for Bastille Day (and Beyond)
Whether you're planning a trip for Bastille Day in DC or simply want to explore French-inspired experiences year-round, the city offers:
- French restaurants and bakeries with authentic flavors
- Art museums showcasing iconic French works
- Architecture that echoes Parisian influence
- Boutique shopping with French fashion, home decor and gourmet finds
Your Guide to French-Inspired DC
From historic sites and elegant dining to fascinating artifacts and Parisian-style promenades, Washington, DC’s French connections are abundant. Here’s your local’s guide to the best French experiences in DC, ideal for travelers, Francophiles and culture lovers alike.
Food & Drink
Le Diplomate – Logan Circle
This beloved brasserie captures the spirit of Paris with its zinc bar, tiled floors and bustling sidewalk seating. The menu is a greatest-hits list of French comfort food – steak frites, onion soup, tarte tatin – and the crowd is a lively mix of locals, visitors and fellow Francophiles.
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1601 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Chez Billy Sud – Georgetown
Tucked into a historic townhouse near the C&O Canal, Chez Billy Sud serves up Provençal-inspired dishes, such as duck confit, bouillabaisse and coquilles Saint-Jacques, in a candlelit dining room or on its charming brick patio. Next door, its cozy Le Bar à Vin offers a more casual space to sip French wines and enjoy small plates.
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1039 31st Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
La Chaumière – Georgetown
La Chaumière feels like a rustic inn nestled in the French countryside, with wood-beamed ceilings, white tablecloths and a menu featuring hearty classics such as cassoulet and coq au vin. A working fireplace adds a cozy touch on chilly nights, making it especially inviting in the fall and winter. A Georgetown fixture for 50 years, it has the kind of warm, lived-in charm that only comes with time.
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2813 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
Apéro – Georgetown
This intimate Champagne and small plates bar is tucked away on a quiet residential street in Georgetown, but inside it feels like a Parisian salon. The menu leans indulgent with foie gras torchon, truffle gougères and a rotating list of grower Champagnes. It's run by a husband-and-wife team who clearly love what they do, and the space invites you to slow down and savor.
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2622 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
La Jambe – Union Market
Montmartre meets DC at this casual wine bar inside Union Market, owned by a Parisian expat with a love for natural wines and French cheeses. You can sit at the bar and chat with the staff while building your own charcuterie board or take your glass of wine and plate of saucisson sec to the outdoor dining area.
Order to-go
1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Bistrot du Coin – Dupont Circle
Celebrating its quarter-century birthday in 2025, this authentically French favorite in the Dupont Circle neighborhood wants to serve you a gorgeous French onion soup, mussels in white wine, crème brulée and of course some escargots à la bourguignonne. And there’s so much more, all très classique, including a curated wine list. Stop by to delight in some friendly French fun.
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1738 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
Bakeries & Cafés
Boulangerie Christophe – Georgetown
Run by a father-son duo from Saint-Tropez, the bakery is renowned for its award-winning baguette, twice named the best in the U.S., and a full lineup of buttery croissants, savory crêpes and French breakfast staples like pain perdu. The patio is a quiet oasis off bustling Wisconsin Avenue, and the vibe is pure Riviera café.
Order to-go
1422 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
Un Je Ne Sais Quoi – Dupont Circle
This tiny patisserie is a local favorite for its Merveilleux – a delicate meringue-and-whipped-cream pastry – as well as millefeuille, Paris-Brest and chocolate mousse. It’s also a beloved neighborhood coffee spot, with regulars stopping in for café au lait and a sweet treat before heading to work or the nearby farmers’ market on weekends.
Order to-go
1361 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Patisserie Poupon – Georgetown
A classic French bakery with a loyal following, Patisserie Poupon serves elegant pastries and tarts alongside homemade chocolates and seasonal confections. You can sit indoors at one of the small café tables and enjoy a slice of quiche or almond croissant with a coffee, surrounded by the scent of butter and sugar.
Order to-go
1645 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
Fresh Baguette – Chinatown, Downtown, Georgetown, Cleveland Park
The fast casual chain comes to us straight from France in the most literal sense – the equipment is imported from the country known for its boulangeries, and bakers use a traditional cold-dough process with a homemade starter to produce a variety of sourdough loaves (even for some of the baguettes). You can also find French-imported chocolates and other products here. Enjoy a pastry or cro’gel (bagel-shaped croissant) sandwich while the French radio serenades you.
Multiple locations
Ladurée - Georgetown
This iconic Paris macaron shop landed in Georgetown in 2017, but it has been creating famed confections in France since 1862. When Louis Ernest Ladurée and his wife Jeanne Souchard had the idea to combine the selling of coffee and pastries, the first tea rooms in Paris were born. A bit later, Louis’ cousin Pierre Desfontaines put two macaron cookies together with some ganache, and over 150 years later, DC became privy to this very treat. Whether you order their most famous creation, a rose flavored croissant or a rich hot chocolate, you can’t go wrong.
3060 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
Art & Culture
The Phillips Collection – Dupont Circle
This intimate museum, housed in a historic mansion, features a standout collection of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party is the star, but you’ll also find works by Cézanne, Degas and Bonnard. It’s a quiet, contemplative space that rewards slow looking.
1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
National Gallery of Art – National Mall
The West Building is home to some of the most iconic French works in the U.S., including paintings by Monet, Pissarro and Rodin. The neoclassical architecture and hushed galleries feel like a European museum, and the adjacent Sculpture Garden is a great place to unwind with a glass of wine from the Pavilion Café.
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565, between 3rd and 9th Streets NW
La Maison Française – Embassy of France
Part of the French Embassy, La Maison Française is one of the few diplomatic venues in DC that regularly opens its doors to the public. From the lively Fête de la Musique in June to the elegant Bastille Day celebration in July, it hosts a full calendar of cultural events that highlight French American exchange through music, film and art.
4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
Alliance Française - Kalorama
The leading center for French language, French culture and francophone resources in DC. If you’re looking to learn to speak the language of love, this is the place to do it, with courses from beginner through advanced for adults and children. Alliance Française also holds events, such as Bastille Day celebrations or conversational French tea time at the aforementioned Un Je Ne Sais Quoi. Check their calendar to see what’s new.
2142 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Outdoors & Architecture
Dumbarton Oaks Gardens – Georgetown
These historic gardens evoke a walk through a French estate, with terraced lawns, formal hedges and serene garden rooms. Highlights include the Rose Garden, the mosaic-lined Pebble Garden and the Orangery, where citrus trees grow in tall windows. It’s a peaceful place to wander and take in the symmetry and structure of classic European garden design.
31st and R Streets NW, Washington, DC 20007
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens – Forest Hills
Originally the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, Hillwood’s gardens are inspired by European estate design, featuring a French Parterre, rose garden and an orchid-filled greenhouse. Inside the museum, you’ll find Sèvres porcelain, 18th-century tapestries and other French decorative arts that reflect Post’s love of French culture and craftsmanship.
4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Shopping
CityCenterDC – Downtown
This stylish open-air shopping district showcases iconic French luxury brands, including Hermès, Dior and Louboutin. With its sleek modern architecture, outdoor dining and seasonal art installations, it exudes a cosmopolitan charm and has become a go-to destination for high-end fashion.
825 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Georgetown Boutiques
Georgetown’s cobblestone streets are lined with independent shops that channel the charm of Paris. A Mano offers European-inspired home goods, while L’Enfant Gallery showcases fine French antiques and art. Ella-Rue complements the experience with vintage and designer pieces, including coveted French labels.
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