100 Centenaires Francais

These are a few portraits from my on going book project '100 Centenaires Francais' that I have been working on for the last 2 years with an American writer. It is in some ways a document of France told through the eyes of its oldest inhabitants, all born before 1918 and thus experiencing 2 world wars, the 1968 manifestations and all the changes the 20th Century has had to offer. Their view point is both individual and universal, and we sought to mix the ordinary individuals in with a few more well known characters (at least well-known in France). Asking questions based on their lives and also mixed with questions from "Bouillon de Culture" (see actors studio TV show), I mostly chipped in with remarks to make them laugh! The secret to their longevity? It seems to me it is down to strength of character and keeping a sense of humour. Although there were a few grouchy ones!