There are moments in life when two seemingly unrelated parts of your personality unexpectedly collide. For me, it happened somewhere between ordering café au lait in Southern France, wandering the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal, visiting my daughter in Southern Louisiana, and realizing I had become completely fascinated with the French language and culture.
So when I discovered a Texas hospitality company called French Cowboys, I was interested. French in Texas? It felt like someone had combined my growing love for joie de vivre with my lifelong Texas roots.
Founded by Franco-American friends Franklin Dusserre and Dylan Petrich, French Cowboys has a simple but refreshing mission: find overlooked properties across Central Texas, thoughtfully renovate them with beautiful European-inspired design, keep their authentic Texan character intact, and offer guests boutique experiences without luxury resort prices.
After the hectic summer travel season came to an end, we escaped to New Braunfels to experience two of their riverfront properties. Visiting after families returned to school turned out to be the perfect time. The crowds had disappeared, the pace slowed considerably, and we found ourselves enjoying two completely different river properties, within minutes of each other.
It’s funny how many times you can drive past something without ever truly seeing it. I’ve driven between Round Rock and my mom’s home near Bandera countless times over the years, passing Hacienda Del Rio on Loop 337 without even seeing it. Multiple two-story buildings overlook the Guadalupe River in a little boutique retreat.
Mais oui! Walking into the lobby immediately told me this wasn’t your average roadside hotel. Designer sunglasses, curated gifts, and wonderfully fragrant Jackson Vaughn candles instantly establish the property’s signature French Cowboys aesthetic—casual Texas mixed with effortless European style. It feels collected rather than decorated.
The rooms continue that theme with thoughtful details that make traveling easier. I especially loved the family-friendly bunk room featuring three beds: 2 built-in single bunks over a double bed below. The nearly full-size refrigerator and microwave make longer stays much more practical than the typical hotel mini-fridge.
Every room includes individual pour-over coffee packets from Coulee Coffee Company. Rather than offering generic hotel coffee, guests can choose among creative blends like She Devil, OG, and Doc’s Blend. Merci!
Guests can spend time playing shuffleboard or pool, snapping pictures in the vintage-style photo booth, or simply enjoying the peaceful Guadalupe River setting.
Breakfast tacos from the property’s café made an easy start to our morning. They also serve lunch and dinner options, along with a full bar that serves the pool below.
Adventure is literally steps away thanks to Paddle TX, located on-site and owned by Sandy Thigpen, a fellow Texas Aggie. Guests can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, tubes, and even clear “crystal kayaks” that allow paddlers to see beneath the water—especially magical during evening excursions.
About five minutes away sits French Cowboys’ second New Braunfels property, Petit Cowboy, which reopened after a complete renovation less than a year ago.
These charming A-frame cabins have welcomed generations of vacationing families for decades. One employee told us many guests return to the exact same cabin every summer, and next summer’s reservations are already filling up! That kind of loyalty says everything.
The centerpiece of Petit Cowboy is its large swimming pool overlooking the headwaters of the Comal River. Late August temperatures in Texas were well into the triple digits, and yet the Comal River was unbelievably cold. I didn’t know there could be a river this cold in Texas in late August! (Considering I spent much of my childhood summers floating the Frio River in Uvalde County, that’s saying something.)
The property encourages slowing down. Guests gather around the pool, chat with neighbors, enjoy coffee from the café, play the vintage arcade game, or simply sit outside soaking up the shade. Everyone we met seemed genuinely relaxed.
Our ground-floor cabin offered a compact kitchen with a stovetop, full-size refrigerator, cookware, a cozy living area, a separate king bedroom, and what I affectionately describe as a “European-sized” bathroom.
We attempted to float directly from the property but quickly learned there are better launch locations nearby for a full Comal tubing experience. Fortunately, PaddleTX is happy to help visitors enjoy one of Texas’ favorite summer traditions.
Why New Braunfels Continues to Win Hearts
It’s easy to understand why New Braunfels consistently ranks among the most desirable places to live in Texas.
A recent survey of more than 3,000 prospective first-time homebuyers by PortlandRealEstate.com ranked New Braunfels as the most envied location in Texas. With its beautiful Hill Country scenery, crystal-clear rivers, vibrant downtown, and convenient location between Austin and San Antonio, the city continues attracting visitors who often dream of becoming residents.
A New Way to Experience Texas
What impressed me most about French Cowboy wasn’t simply the stylish interiors or comfortable accommodations. It was their philosophy.
Rather than creating another luxury destination, they’re restoring forgotten Texas properties and giving them fresh life while keeping them approachable for everyday travelers.
As co-founder Franklin Dusserre explains, “We’re not about luxury for luxury’s sake. We’re about creating cool, comfortable spaces that are thoughtfully designed and accessible.”
His partner, Dylan Petrich, adds that they look for places “with soul” and transform them into destinations that help people reconnect with what matters most.
Whether you’re planning a family getaway, a girls’ weekend, a romantic escape, or simply need a peaceful retreat within a couple hours of home, both Hacienda Del Rio and Petit Cowboy offer something increasingly rare: beautifully designed places that encourage you to slow down.
Autumn might be the perfect season to visit. Picture cool mornings with coffee overlooking the river. Evenings around the fire pit. Fewer crowds. Crisp Hill Country air.
Maybe that’s where Texas and France have always had something in common after all.
A little slower.
A little more intentional.
And always best enjoyed with the people you love.
Travel Deal
French Cowboys is currently offering its Summer Encore promotion through October 31, 2026. Guests can receive 20% off room rates plus a $20 food and beverage credit by using promo code ENCORE when booking. For more information, visit FrenchCowboys.com.