Jean Francois Chaufour was born in Beaugency, France in the Loire Valley. He came to the United States in 1976 and started working as a waiter in Washington DC with his wife Francoise.  In September of 1983, he and his wife opened Le Refuge in Alexandria, VA on N. Washington Street across from Christ Church.

Let us remind you that wine is the best pairing with French food! Jean-Francois' wine list is very extensive and has wonderful wines at very reasonable prices.

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Now his daughter Anne Claire works as a waitress, and her husband Hugh, who is also in the dining room and kitchen at times, will someday take over Le Refuge!

For the small and cozy restaurant we are, we give you some of the best dishes that you are not going to find anywhere else! That’s why after 36 years of business we have customers returning again and again soaking in the wonderful ambience!

Jean-Francois and his family suggest you come visit a little corner of France without paying for the airfare to enjoy an excellent country French meal and feel the excitement of a busy French Bistro!