Renault, Henry

French wool buyer and chef who established The Hermitage (L'Hermitage) restaurant in the former Paling's building in Ash Street with his wife, Jeanne. He originally worked as a wool buyer in Melbourne and Sydney until World War II. During the war, he was called up for service by the French Army and sent to Cap Saint Jacques in Indochina (Vietnam).

Henry and Jeanne were instrumental in establishing the Wine and Food Society of NSW. Members of the society asked the Renaults to set up a ‘base’ for their society, so their restaurant became the society's home. While Jeanne worked 'front of house' at The Hermitage, Henry was their chef until he established Renault and Company, a wine importing business, in 1947.