Bibliotheque anglaise de Menton, USA News (Menton, France): Located right in the town center next to the Anglican church, St John’s English Library serves as a vibrant hub for the English-speaking community and local French residents alike. Managed by president Joanna Langhorne and marketing and communication lead Jessica Dellepiane, the luminous space hosts language exchanges, board game sessions, reading groups, art exhibitions, and musical performances.
Both leaders arrived in France approximately thirty years ago. Originally from London, Langhorne previously worked in Monaco before settling in Menton permanently, later taking over the leadership of the library in her retirement. Dellepiane, born near Birmingham, joined her husband in Menton and operates a real estate agency in Garavan.
Objectives and Community Reach
Established in 2021, the English library aims to promote English-language literature and foster the cultural and musical life of the Anglican church through concerts, lectures, debates, exhibitions, and educational projects. Run entirely by an eight-person committee and a network of volunteers, the institution operates without government subsidies, relying exclusively on membership dues and donations.
With 280 active members, the library welcomes a diverse international crowd, including Britons, Scandinavians, Canadians, Swedes, Finns, Russians, and Ukrainians, alongside local residents from Menton, Nice, Monaco, and Italy. Visitors can explore a collection of 5,000 English-language books spanning children’s literature, young adult titles, novels, biographies, history, and art, complemented by over 750 DVDs and magazines.
Cultural Events and Activities
Since 2022, the center has hosted 139 events, featuring monthly jazz concerts on the first Friday of each month in collaboration with local musician Manu Carré, as well as classical music performances every two months. The library also coordinates children’s workshops on Wednesdays, adult language classes via Zoom, book presentations, film screenings, and bi-monthly art exhibitions showcasing local artists.
St John’s English Library is located at 31 avenue Carnot in Menton, with operating hours on Wednesdays from 14:30 to 17:30 and Saturdays from 9:30 to 12:30.
