Its original aim was to settle long-standing disputes over colonial territories, but over the years it has developed a wider significance in that it also represented a shift from a history overshadowed by conflict and rivalry to a sustained era of rapprochement and alliance through the 20th century.

One hundred years on, what does this mean to us in Ashtead? We thought we'd find out by asking some French people who live and work amongst us for some of their thoughts about living in Britain.

Jeanne Menjou has lived in Ashtead for 50 years. Originally from Grasse, near Nice, Jeanne remembers 'pea-soupers' of the 50s and early 60s and long cold winters, although things have been better in recent years. She missed the sun and clear blue skies of the Mediterranean. In those days, of course, Britain was still recovering from the war. Food was dull and rationed. The people were quite different too. They didn't shout and wave their arms and didn't all talk at the same time.

Luc Genevier does not consider himself to be a typical Ashtead resident, despite living here for 23 years. "I leave home early in the morning and come home late at night. I am very much a family man and for us Ashtead is perfect. The local schools are good and our children are happy at St Andrews'. We are members of St Michael's parish and have received a warm welcome there. We are close enough to London to enjoy the pleasures of the city but can be in the countryside in a few minutes."