4. The neighborhood is an unofficial Little Italy and Little France
Although Carroll Gardens was mainly settled by Irish in the 1840s and 1850s, many Italian immigrants moved there in the late 19th century, many of whom worked for the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This continued into the 1950s after much of the Irish population moved out, and there was speculation about the presence and role of the mafia in Carroll Gardens. Today, the neighborhood is approximately 20% Italian, and there are a handful of religious and benevolent hometown associations in the area. Carroll Gardens is also known for its Italian restaurants, including pizzeria Lucali, Fragole Ristorante, Gersi, and Frankies 457 Spuntino.
Recently, the neighborhood has seen a wave of immigration from France, especially from upper-middle-class and wealthy French residents. At St. Agnes Church, a Catholic mass is said in French on Sundays. The neighborhood hosts Bastille Day celebrations, and there are numerous dual-language programs for students, including at the International School of Brooklyn. On the north side of Carroll Gardens are a handful of French eateries, including La Cigogne, Le French Tart Deli, and Le Petit Café.