In The Steps of The French in Soho
Learn about the history of the "French Quarter" in this tour of French history in Soho
Discover the 'french colony'
London’s Soho area is now famous for its nightlife, but in the XIXth century was known as the “French Quarter”, as large numbers of Huguenots settled there to escape persecution in France.
Soho contains many shops, buildings and statues linked to this period, such as the French Protestant Church on Soho Square, and the famous “French House”. We’ll discover these and much more on this fascinating tour of French history in the heart of London.
Watch the video
Take a walk through French Soho with our guide, Christian. This short taster video was filmed on one of our Soho tours.
Some Highlights of This Tour
French Protestant Church
Our tour starts at this important church on Soho Square, which still holds services in French today
Statue of Charles II
Charles II has pride of place in Soho Square. We’ll find out why at the start of the tour.
First French Patisserie
Discover the very first French patisserie in London
L'escargot
The first restaurant in the UK to serve snails, L’escargot is now an integral part of Soho’s history
The French House
Favoured by the Free French during WWII, The French House is one of Soho’s most iconic bars
Huguenots
Learn about the history of the Huguenots, their exile from France and why so many settled in Soho
Where to Meet
The tour begins at the French Protestant Church on Soho Square. Many people are surprised to find a French protestant church as catholicism is the dominant form of Christianity in France. It was for their protestant faith that the Huguenots were forced to flee France and led to many settling in Soho, making this an ideal starting point for our tour.
Book A Public Tour
To book a place on a public tour, follow the link below to Eventbrite for availability and booking.
Book a Private Tour
This experience is available to book as a private tour. Whether you’re a school, club, business or group of friends, we’ll help create the perfect tour for you.
Simply fill out the form and we’ll quickly be in touch to book your tour.
