Embassy of France, Washington, D.C.

The Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. is the primary French diplomatic mission to the United States.It is located at 4101 Reservoir Road, Northwest, Washington, D.C., just north of Georgetown University. The embassy opened in 1984. With some 400 staffers, it is France's largest foreign embassy. The embassy represents the interests of France and French citizens in the United States and conducts the majority of diplomatic work on such interests within the USA.StructureThe embassy is headed by the French Ambassador to the United States, currently Gérard Araud. The French ambassador's residence is located in the Sheridan-Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The building served as the French chancery from 1936 - 1985.In addition to the standard diplomatic facilities, the compound has La Maison Française a cultural facility consisting of an auditorium, ballroom, and exhibition hall. Like many embassies, it regularly hosts events for the general public including concerts (e.g. baroque, classical, jazz, contemporary, pop and alternative music), cinéma, dance, exhibitions, lectures and theatre.ServicesThe embassy operates several services and offices, responsible for different areas of policy and liaising with the relevant American bodies, the most notable of whom are listed below.ChanceryThe Chancery is the main diplomatic and political body. It is responsible for coordination with the American government on matters, particularly foreign policy, that affect France, however, the majority of the diplomacy is conducted by the ambassador, leaving the chancery to liaise with the French government and coordinate with the Press Service in matters of public policy. The diplomats of the chancery take responsibility for a specific policy area and may stand in for the ambassador in his absence. The Chancery has attaches based in each of the ten regional consulates.