Soho, so French – from Huguenots to Cocteau via Hugo, gateaux and escargot

Soho, so French – from Huguenots to Cocteau via Hugo, gateaux and escargot

By Jane's London Walks

A guided walk looking at how the French turned Soho into Little Paris

Date and time

Location

Soho Square

Soho Square London W1D United Kingdom

Good to know

Highlights

  • 2 hours
  • In person

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 2 days before event

About this event

A guided walk within central London's vibrant village to see how French immigrants made their mark on this district long before the Italians, the Greeks and the Chinese.

See how hints of French history and French culture continue to colour Soho's streets.

Hear how this area was mown as Little Paris. Find out about Hugo and Huguenots, Cocteau and Bertaux, restaurants and revues, movies and molluscs, churches and chapels, and French tarts of various kinds.

Allow two hours. Ends at Leicester Square.

The specific meeting place will be supplied after purchase (see the FAQs below)

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Customer feedback: "Jane's passion shone through with humour, perception, humanity and fascinating detail" / "Oh dear, I hadn't [before] noticed half of what you showed us. I feel enlightened. Thanks" / "Très bon Jane, très bon!" / "I will be coming back for more ... I love how you point out all the little quirks and make it so much more interesting than other academic-style guides. And you make it fun too." / " OMG! I had no idea about these places! Thanks so much!" / More feedback here

My guiding style is inclusive, open and friendly. I design and research every tour myself – in fact, the research never ends. The walks and talks I offer are all on subjects that intrigue me and each one highlights a different facet of my personality. I am particularly interested in the architecture of our ever-changing streets and the little details on and above them. For more information, please visit www.janeslondonwalks.com

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FAQs

Where does this tour start and what if I am running late?

  • Please do not rely and generic postcodes or maps sent via apps as these often give vague or incorrect information.
  • The specific meeting point will be clearly described in words in an email sent to you immediately after your ticket purchase...– Scroll down to the Additional Information section at the bottom where you will also find details of how to play catch-up should you be running late on the day.

Can I just show up and pay on arrival?

  • No – this is a ticketed event with a maximum group size – places must be booked in advance.

Do I have to bring a copy of my ticket to the event?

  • No – you will simply be asked your name

Can I get a refund / is my ticket transferrable?

  • As you can appreciate, refunds and reallocations do not apply to people who simply do not show up on the day!
  • You can organise your own refund through Eventbrite's ticketing system up to 7 days before the walk starts. However, please note that the booking fee (absorbed within the ticket price) is not refundable.
  • Alternatively, I can hold your purchase for transfer to another Jane's London Walk within the next three months – please notify me in writing via email/text at least 48 hours before this walk is due to start.

What if it's raining?

  • Walking tours will go ahead, rain or shine.
  • However, if severely adverse conditions are forecast, or other unforeseen complications cause the event to be cancelled, you will receive notification and a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchairs?

  • The walk is mostly on standard pavements, but please note that some backstreets and alleys in this area are uneven, narrow or cobbled.

How can I contact the organiser?

  • Email: jane@janeslondon.com
  • Mobile: +44(0)7941 475003
  • Instagram/Facebook: janeslondonwalks

Organized by

I have lived in Islington, North London simce 1988 and have been facscinated by the area's history. The unusual details on, above and along London's streets impelled me to start a blog www.janeslondon.com and this, in turn, evolved into the touring arm of www.janeslondonwalks.com

There is, as they say, so much out there hiding in plain sight.

£10 – £18
Sep 8 · 4:00 PM GMT+1