Britons will vote in ten days -- but what do the UK’s closest continental neighbours think?

France is the neighbour the British love to hate. And the feeling is mutual. Squabbles between 'the frogs' and 'les rosbifs' are common. And France has a tradition of ambivalence regarding Britain’s role in the European Union. But when it comes to the Brexit, the French President is standing alongside the British Prime Minister — the message from Paris 'please don't go'. The French people though do not agree.

A recent poll of nine Northern European countries by survey company TNS found that outside of the UK, support for the Brexit is strongest here in France. One third of French people want the UK to leave the EU. And with that pessimism that the French are famous for, 42% of people here think the Brexit is going to happen. Some even think a UK exit from the EU will be good for Europe, and France.

"I think the Brexit is a good thing because this Europe is dead," Christophe Barbier, Political Analyst said, "France needs a strong Europe because France is unable to change, to make efforts without Europe. Europe has to write the rules and France has to obey the rules. We need a new Europe. So we need the Brexit. The Brexit will be a good thing for France."

Given France’s historic reluctance to grant the UK entry in first place... it’s not hugely unsurprising that so many here in France would have no regrets if their neighbour decides it’s time to leave the union. Kate Parkinson,