The scheme has been piloted with 11 students, all of whom are living in Ehpad homes across the city.

For this, they pay very low rent - between €140-250 per month - and in return, must interact in a meaningful way with the elderly residents.

This could mean befriending and talking to them for several hours a week, encouraging them to be more active, helping them with everyday tasks, or playing a musical instrument in the home.

The students are living in renovated apartments on the grounds of the care homes; many of which were previously used by former Ehpad directors.

Each student must bring a defined project to the home, and demonstrate how they plan to use their skills and time to enrich the lives of the elderly residents for at least three hours a week.

These have included creating a blog that explains the lives of the residents and their passions; improving links between the older people and their families; offering music therapy workshops, or coordinating a schedule of film showings.

In one home, a boules (pétanque) area has also been installed to encourage the older people - and the students - to get more active.

The city’s social affairs minister, Annie Yague, said: “The aim is to break up the isolation in which residents can often find themselves.”

One student, who is studying music therapy and taking part in the scheme, said: “The project interested me on a human level. I knew that this could bring something to the residents, and to me too. I speak to [the older people] a lot - some of them really need to talk.”

Another student, who is studying social work, said: “Even though we live in an old people’s home, it really feels like our home. There are no set bedtimes, and if we want to order a pizza, we can - we just call for a delivery as normal.”