A French charitable tradition in London since the 19th century

The Dispensaire Français and the French Benevolent Society were founded in the 19th century, continuing a rich tradition of French solidarity in London. For centuries, French exiles and refugees have found in this city a place of welcome and support.

The origins: French mutual aid from the 16th to the 18th century

From the 16th century onwards, with the arrival of the Huguenots, mutual aid networks were set up within the French community to assist the most destitute among them. Aid was then provided mainly by the French churches, supported by the wealthiest parishioners. In 1718, the French settled in London founded a hospital La Providence, today converted into a retirement home for descendants of Huguenots in Rochester, Kent.

The 19th century: relief for French refugees in London

The 19th century was marked by the mass arrival of French refugees: Huguenots, royalists, republicans, Bonapartists, Communards and anarchists. Many lived in great hardship, made worse by the industrial revolution.

To respond to this social emergency, Count d'Orsay founded in 1842 the French Benevolent Society, in order to provide material and financial aid. Among the founding members: the French Ambassador, Count Walewski, Dr de la Bélinaye and influential members of the French community, such as the Crillon family.

In 1867, the opening of the French Hospital, soon complemented by the Dispensaire Français, in Soho and then Covent Garden, made it possible to provide medical care to French speakers. A convalescent home in Brighton completed this provision. Funding relied on public and private subscriptions — French, English and international — and volunteer doctors provided high-quality consultations.

The 20th century: celebrities and prestige

In 1910, the French Hospital had sixty beds, an operating theatre and numerous specialist doctors. The actress Sarah Bernhardt was treated there in 1879 and helped to support the institution at a gala in 1913.

A hundred years later, faced with severe financial difficulties, the hospital was sold to the British Ministry of Health, and the convalescent home, converted into a retirement home, closed in turn in 1999. The Dispensaire alone continued its mission serving French speakers; based for a few years in the Marylebone area, it has been established in Hammersmith since 2005.

The 21st century: an effective merger to serve better

In 2014, the Dispensaire Français and the French Benevolent Society joined forces, sharing administration and resources to optimise the effectiveness and sustainability of their charitable work.

Constant royal support

Since its creation, the Dispensaire Français has enjoyed British royal patronage, a mark of quality and prestige:

• 1867: Queen Victoria
• 1879: Prince of Wales and Duke of Edinburgh
• 1910: King George V
• 1936: King George VI
• 1953: Queen Mother Elizabeth
• 2009: Duchess of Cornwall
• 2022: Duchess of Edinburgh

This long tradition of royal patronage reflects the exceptional recognition and credibility of our organisation in the United Kingdom.

A summary of our origins and heritage

• Founded in 1842 in London
  • In the 19th century, many French people arrived in the United Kingdom amid great poverty, a direct consequence of the industrial revolution.
    Faced with hardship, illness and isolation, leading figures of the French community created lasting structures of solidarity.
• Three historic founders
  • Count d'Orsay: founder of the French Benevolent Society (1842)
  • Achille Vintras: creator of the Dispensaire Français (1861)
  • Eugene Rimmel: founder of the French Hospital (1867), attached to the Dispensaire from 1868
• Merger of the two institutions
  • The Dispensaire Français – French Benevolent Society was born on 3 June 2014
    A charity registered under no. 1125579 and regulated by the Charity Commission. To see the latest report, click here.