French Cultural Experiences in Dutchess County

Date Published: September 26, 2024

French History in Dutchess County

The town of LaGrange is named after the estate in northern France owned by Gilbert du Motier — better known as the Marquis de Lafayette. A major general under George Washington in the Continental Army, the Marquis de Lafayette lived at “Chateau de la Grange-Bléneau”  (“La Grange,” as it was later known) from 1799 until his death in 1834. Lafayette visited Dutchess County in September 1824 as part of his farewell tour, offering inspiration for the town’s name.

Did you know that Staatsburgh State Historic Site in Staatsburg once hosted the meeting of Lafayette and New York’s Governor Morgan Lewis? Overlooking the Hudson River, explore the elegant country home of Ruth Livingston Mills and her husband Ogden Mills. There’s still time to book a curator’s tour this year, the theme is “all things French," examining details like Louis XV style furniture, 100-year-old bottles of Vichy water, copies of portraits one might have seen at Versailles and why some of the mansion’s rooms resemble a French palace.
 

A close friend of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette fought in the Revolution. He fell ill in the fall of 1778, and reportedly recovered in the second-floor bedroom of The Brinckerhoff Inn in Fishkill. In fact, you can book that room today (Tip: it’s called The Marquis de Lafayette Room). There’s also a monument dedicated to Lafayette on Route 52, just west of the entrance to the Brinckerhoff Inn.

 

When you visit the Van Wyck Homestead in Fishkill, don’t miss the Lafayette desk. It’s a beautiful bureau gifted to the Brinckerhoff family as a token of gratitude after they helped nurse him back to health during the American Revolutionary War. 

Meet the French Masters

Designed by famed architect Cesar Pelli, Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center on the Vassar College campus in Poughkeepsie is free to visit and houses 22,000 pieces in its collection, ranging from antiquities to the present day. There are some incredible French masters represented in the collection, including breathtaking landscapes from Paul Cézanne, watercolors by Paul Gauguin, oil paintings by Henri Matisse and a striking sculpture by Edgar Degas. 

There is an entire floor dedicated to the groundbreaking and unforgettable work of French sculptor and artist Louise Bourgeois at Dia Beacon. Her Crouching Spider may be the most-photographed and immediately recognizable of the installations on long-term view at the former Nabisco box printing factory-turned modern art gallery. There’s also a great exhibit of works by Andy Warhol, noted Francophile and occasional Parisian resident.

The collection at CCS Hessel Museum at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson features an exciting group of post-60s and contemporaty French creatives. A few names to look out for on a visit include photographer Sophie Calle, painter Nicole Eisenman, multimedia visual artist Cyprien Gaillard, conceptual artist Julien Creuzet and Camille Henrot (among others). Also in the collection are works by Henry Monnier, a playwright and caricaturist who mingled with Alexandre Dumas, Honore de Balzac and other literary masters, as well as a few paintings and a sculpture by the legendary Louise Bourgeois.

Savor French Cuisine

Find inspired French fare at The Bocuse Restaurant, named for legendary chef Paul Bocuse. Bocuse left an indelible mark on French cuisine, including TK and inspired the chef at the core of Ratatouille. The Bocuse Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park brings a new style of casual yet sophisticated service and offers a breathtaking architectural interior design. Plus, pair your meal with a glass from an impressive wine list.

Dutchess County is full of fine French establishments, perfect for a romantic date night or an evening of family celebration. Farm-to-table French fare awaits at Le Petit Bistro in Rhinebeck, and Brigitte Bistro in Red Hook serves the classics in a charming space. A true local establishment, Brasserie 292 in Poughkeepsie plates delicious duck, fresh oysters and escargot. We love the elegant dishes at Cafe Les Baux in Millbrook, which brings flavors from the Brittany Sea and the land of Provence to Dutchess County. Try the hidden gem Champêtre in Pine Plains, the newest entry to this list. For dessert, take out treats from Amanda’s Macaron Shoppe in Poughkeepsie. These macarons are made by an alumn from the Culinary Institute of America.

Experience French Hospitality

Reminiscent of an old-world chic Parisian hotel, the 50-room Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Rhinebeck offers gracious accommodations, the 12,000-square-foot Spa Mirbeau, and progressive American dining at Willow. Immerse yourself in world-class luxury and extravagance as you relax, recharge and re-balance. Mirbeau received a Four-Star Award in 2024 from Forbes Travel Guide, the prestigious global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises.

French-Inspired Beverages

• Pommeau from Shady Knoll Orchards and Distillery in Millbrook showcases a often forgotten French spirit. Made from apples, pommeau is distinctly orchard-to-glass.
• Rose Hill in Red Hook crafts a ton of traditional libations in addition to their wines and ciders. Perry, a pear-based beverage originated in what is today France (the earliest record was by writings from Pliny). Two options currently are the 2019 Poiré and 2021 Pét Nat Perry.
• Distinctly Dutchess Hudson Valley Heritage wines at Milea Estate Vineyard in Staatsburg reflect the influence French winemaking and varietals had on our region. 2023 Hudson Heritage Chambourcin is a great example, as this particular grape is a versatile hybrid that is credited to biochemist Joannes Seyve in Bougé Chamalud, just south of Lyon, in the 19th century. They’ve also worked with Vignoles, Seyval Blanc, Baco Noir and Leon Millot, among others
• Bernie’s Blend at Millbrook Winery is a blend for Francophiles, featuring Merlot and Cabernet Franc (two iconic French varietals) plus Cabernet Sauvingnon (whose origin is not know but is heavily associated with the Bordeaux region of France).
• C. Cassis in Rhinebeck takes its name from the French word for blackcurrant. Blackcurrant production originates from the Burgundy region of France, and they are also credited with the creation of crème de cassis, an ancestor of C. CASSIS. Plus, they’ve recently released CASSETTE, a blackcurrant wine made from rehydrated blackcurrants fermented on champagne yeast with French marigold.