Mild chap follows the French (6)
I believe the answer is:
gentle
'mild' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'chap follows the french' is the wordplay.
'chap' becomes 'gent' (both can mean a man).
'follows' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the french' becomes 'le' ('the' in French).
'gent'+'le'='GENTLE'
(Other definitions for gentle that I've seen before include "Tender - maggot" , "amiable" , "Kind, not rough" , "Moderate in effect" , "Soothing - light" .)