Dubai: A new website catering to Dubai's French community is proving to be a real hit.

Dubai Madame, which was launched last September, is already attracting an average of 80,000 page views a month.

The online magazine gives the emirate's approximately 10,000 French expatriates easy access to a wide range of useful information, including upcoming events and essential contact numbers.

Isabelle Giresse-Nouhra, the creator of Dubai Madame, said: "The idea came to me because I was involved as a volunteer in a French association for three years.

"I was in charge of the monthly newsletter and became very close to Dubai's French community. But I quickly realised that something was missing in the city. I contemplated launching a newspaper but opted for the internet and a few months later www.dubaimadame.com was born."

A new section focusing on the lives of Dubai's French-speaking residents was launched in January. It also aims to highlight the achievements of French people across the world.

Nada Yafi, the French Consul General in Dubai, was featured in the first article and she was followed by French-Canadian singer Celine Dion.

"We have more than 550 people registered to receive our newsletter and we are receiving new subscribers every day. My plan for the future is to develop some activities for the members such as conferences, events and perhaps Dubai Monsieur (for men)," she said.

Loula De Casterle, 40, a graphic designer, said it was great to have a website written in French.

"I love the website. Dubai Madame is very user-friendly and offers a lot of good tips about the life-style here."