Bay Curious The SF Landmark You've Never Heard of...Unless You're French
12 snips
Feb 12, 2026 
Chloe Veltman, an NPR culture correspondent who tells local history with a lively ear, traces the story of San Francisco's famous Blue House and its unusual French fame. She unpacks the 1971 song by Maxime Le Forestier that turned a commune home into a pilgrimage site. Short scenes cover the commune life, Le Forestier's visit, the house's revival, and joyful French singalongs at its doorstep.
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How The Blue House Became A Song
- Maxime Le Forestier stayed at 3841 18th Street in 1971 and wrote the hit song "San Francisco" about that blue house.
- Residents called themselves the Hunger Dunga and lived communally, eating dinner together at 5pm and sharing resources with other communes.
Personal Pull Of A Song
- Chloe Veltman grew up with Maxime Le Forestier's song in her family's record collection and says it inspired her move to San Francisco.
- The song's modal harmonies and guitar riff made the city feel magical to her as a child.
Roommate Recollections From The 1970s
- Phil Polizzato lived in the Blue House in the 1970s and remembers daily communal rituals and loose rules.
- The house hosted musicians like Maxime who mostly sat and played guitar, then later surprised residents by becoming a star in France.
