Literal translation
he is the soul of the house
Meaning
he's the heart and soul of the household
Explanation
This expression names the person around whom the activity and unity of a household rest, the one without whom the house would lose its heart and its liveliness. The image, transparent in both French and Provençal, places the word soul at its centre: this person brings the place to life, animates it, gives it its character and cohesion, much as the soul animates the body. The word house, here rendered by a term meaning both the household and the dwelling, refers as much to the building as to the family group living in it. It is used to speak of a relative, often a mother or a grandfather, whose presence, work, or character keeps the family together and sets the tone of domestic life. The register is affectionate and complimentary, without irony, reserved for sincere praise of a person recognised as central and indispensable within the family group.