London’s oldest family-run French restaurant is selling off some of its French decor, so if you fancy a bit of je ne sais quoi in your home, this is your chance.
(c) Catherine Southon auctions
The restaurant, Mon Plaisir on Monmouth Street in Covent Garden, was founded by Jean Viala and his wife in 1943 and bought by their head waiter Monsieur Alain Lhermitte in 1972. In April 2022, Lhermitte retired, and the restaurant was acquired by Fabio Lauro & Family, making them the third family to successively run this venue.
They’re now making some light changes to the decor, and have put some of the old wall decorations up for sale. Don’t worry, the original 1943 dining room and the copper-topped bar – allegedly from a French brothel will be untouched.
But there are many French signs and ads for sale that would look good in most houses – and come with the background story of being from the famous Mon Plaisir restaurant.
And assuming the estimates are accurate, many of them are quite affordable.
A timed auction is live and ends on Sunday 11th January 2026.
Details are here.
(c) Catherine Southon auctions
Dining and Cooking