Founded in 2009, it is more than a library and members and volunteers take part in numerous activities.

Co-president John Essom said: 鈥淲e are also a social community and as many of us have been here for several years we have between us a wealth of local knowledge and an understanding of how the French system works.

鈥淥ur cafe has free Wifi and there are activity groups including French classes, walking, singing, camera club and an art group which only started in January last year but which has produced some stunning work. We also put on events, including quizzes and get togethers such as a paper plane race and, soon, we will take on the local p茅tanque team.鈥�

Fellow co-president, Steve Chicken feels the library plays an important social role and members say 鈥渢he information on offer helps deal with the day to day practicalities of living in France.鈥�

Based in a 15th century building that belongs to the mairie, the library has around 3,000 fiction and non-fiction books, and DVDs.

Membership is 鈧�24 a year per household and group activities charge a small fee per session.

Mr Essom said one aim was to foster integration in the community and some French classes were oversubscribed.

鈥淭here is quite a buzz in our caf茅 and we have French locals dropping in from time to time.鈥�