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Originally 16th century but rebuilt in 1936/7 by Alfred W Blomfield who specialised in pub architecture. One of the most iconic Soho pubs, landlady Lesley Lewis celebrated 34 years here in mid-2023. It has been described as "a bustling boozer absolutely oozing atmosphere, character and history." And recently Time Out said "one of the best spots in town for striking up enlightening chats with interesting strangers".
Wine outsells beer and it is claimed that more Ricard sells here than any other UK outlet. You come here for the atmosphere not the beer choice; there is no cask ale but house lager is available on keg; half-pints only are served, except once a year at the pub spring annual fundraiser when you can get a pint!
The venue is a famous one and often becomes crowded but the bar staff are good at spotting waiting customers. Occasional art exhibitions are held in the bar.
The upstairs restaurant is small and reservation is advisable; meal prices reflect the very central location. The restaurant contains an interesting collection of black & white photos of regulars past and present. The French House has been listed from 2020 to 2024 in the Estrella Damm national Top 50 Gastropubs awards, and has also been in the Estrella Damm restaurant awards.
NB mobile phones are banned in the venue!
Historic Interest
Famous as the unofficial headquarters of the Free French in World War 2, and for its long-serving landlord Gaston Berlemont. On VE Night near the end of World War 2, more sophisticated revellers headed here as other central pubs were rapidly running out of beer and here the "red wine was flowing in torrents" and "a French sailor kissed Mummy and changed hats with her" according to diarist Joan Wyndham! The pub was featured in the famous Maurice Gorham postwar book about London pubs, "Back to the Local". Subsequently the usual Soho list of boozers including such as Dylan Thomas, Francis Bacon and Peter O'Toole are reputed to have drunk here. Francis Bacon performed a useful service here by introducing the artists Lucian Freud and Frank Auerbach, leading to a subsequent fruitful artistic relationship.
Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
The inter-war fittings in the small, single bar are all very much of a piece with narrow, elongated panels featuring in the wall panelling, a counter (with doors for access to the beer engines in former days), and sash windows.
This tiny single-room pub in the heart of Soho is a real institution with a long and strong French connection. It also has a good restaurant upstairs. It was taken over by the Francophone Belgian Victor Berlemont in 1914 (see framed cuttings and pictures in the bar) when it was called the York Minster, although by the 1920s it had acquired the nickname ‘the French Pub’. It was rebuilt in 1937 to designs of architect Alfred W Blomfield. Later, there was some wartime bomb damage and partial refitting afterwards which created the pub we see today. The present name appeared in 1981 to celebrate the French ties. There is a dumb waiter in the middle of the bar-back. As might be expected wine easily outsells beer, the latter being only sold in half-pint measures. Breton cider is popular and it is claimed that more Ricard is sold here than at any other UK outlet.
French House, London
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Real Heritage Pub
Quiet
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