French Beach lies within the traditional territory of the T'Sou-ke First Nation. The park name references James French, a colourful Sooke resident and true adventurer. On foot, he travelled across Canada, from New Brunswick to Victoria, over a strenuous two-year period. During his intrepid explorations of the Northwest Territories, French mis-stepped and plunged through the ice. The biting cold stole all of his toes from one foot and the heel from the other. Aboriginal knowledge is credited in helping him to not lose more.