The first in what seems like a new collection of sets from LEGO® Icons has just been revealed: set 10362 French Café. Designed by Hoang Huy Dang, it will be released 1 March 2025.
Described as "a bookshelf decoration building kit for adults", it seems as though there is a lot packed into this little façade.
This article contains affiliate links to LEGO.com; we may get a small commission if you purchase.
10362 French Café
- Release date: 1 March 2025
- Pieces: 1101
Price:
The model
The official description from the LEGO Group says, "Delight in the elegance of a French café with this LEGO® Icons building set for adults. Capture the essence of a classic bistro with a picturesque facade, ornate seating and double doors that open to reveal a glimpse of a cozy interior with regal wallpaper and dark-wood furnishings."
This view of the rear shows that the set is more of a façade for display, rather than a 360-degree model for play.
This is confirmed in the description: "Its slim profile and flat back make it perfect for shelf display".
Decorations
From looking at the PR images, it seems there are some new decorations which appear printed rather than stickers - fingers crossed!
There are a selection of trans clear window elements that have a new lattice design:
Not only is this a new lattice print, but actually it seems to be the first time the minifigure book cover (
24093, 29167) has been seen in trans-clear.
The cute blackboard sign seems to be a new print on Flag 2 x 2 Square with Flared Edge (
80326). Incidentally, did you spot the arched bricks used to make the pavement here? It's even realistically uneven!
Finally we have the Tile 2 x 4 Oval (
66857) sporting a new print with the restaurant's name.
Recoloured pieces
There seems to be a couple of new green elements:
- Window 1 x 4 x 1 2/3 with Spoked Rounded Top (20309)
- Window 1 x 6 x 6 Flat Front (42205)
We can also see some parts recoloured to light nougat for the first time on the architectural detailing around the door:
- Plate Special 2 x 3 with Cloud Edge (5518)
- Slope 18° 2 x 1 x 2/3 (5404)
Another new light nougat element is Brick Arch 1 x 4 (
3659), which are used all across the top of the building.
The fancy seats appear to have two elements that would be new in aqua:
- Plate Special 1 x 1 with Hole Through Stud, 3 Bars and 3 Bar Holes (1941)
- 2 x 2 Inverted Tile (3567)
Have you spotted any more? We will reveal all in our review of the set, coming soon.
Conclusion
This looks like it could be a great source of new elements, and although much smaller than sets in the Modular Buildings Collection, perhaps the techniques used will be just as satisfying for adult fans?
The lack of minifigures is notable: perhaps the LEGO Icons team were aiming for a display model that doesn't appear too toy-like? We will ask the designer about this, and if you have other questions we might pose, let us know in the comments.
The box mentions 'Restaurants of the World' which, while there is no confirmation, suggests that this may well be the first in a series of similarly sized restaurants.
Which restaurant of the world would you like to see next?
READ MORE: Five fabulous food-focused LEGO® Friends sets reviewed
Help New Elementary keep publishing articles like this. Become a Patron!
A huge thank you to all our patrons for your support, especially our 'Vibrant Coral' tier: London AFOLs, Antonio Serra, Beyond the Brick,
Huw Millington, Dave Schefcik, David and Breda Fennell, Gerald Lasser, Baixo LMmodels, Sue Ann Barber and Trevor Clark, Markus Rollbühler, Elspeth De Montes, Megan Lum, Andy Price, Chuck Hagenbuch, Jf, Wayne R. Tyler, Daniel Church, Lukas Kurth (StoneWars), Timo Luehnen, Chris Wight, Jonathan Breidert, Brick Owl and our newest top-tier patron, BrickCats! You folks are just the cutest little baby bows.
All text and images are ©2025 New Elementary unless otherwise attributed.
It’s a shame they didn’t at least finished the back. If you don’t place the directly up against a wall it won’t look as nice.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but you could say the same about the Mona Lisa. It is simply isn’t intended to be displayed anywhere other that against a wall, or back of a shelf.
DeleteYou could say that, but it would be invalid. There's nothing on the back of the original as it is a complete two-dimensional work. This is a three-dimensional building. Without a back, it's intentionally incomplete.
DeleteIsn't that new 3x2x1 window in Green new?
ReplyDeleteyou mean 1x3x2 ?
Deleteyes, we like to leave one or two out so our readers can feel good about spotting them :-)
Delete<3
Deletepsycho killer 🎵
ReplyDeleteIf this is going to be a collectible 'facade' line similar to the modular sets, I like the idea. But 80 bucks for something this size feels a little much. I'd rather have something less detailed and cheaper.
ReplyDeleteWhy bother with a tchotchke theme? If it is in a line called "Icons", then make it an actual building/facade with a bit of history about it. Why make a set that not only feels incomplete but without a back actually is? Why have a minifig scale set that belongs in the modular line without minifigs and not able to integrate easily into the theme? Charming yet pointless.
ReplyDelete