The oldest person in modern history with an authenticated birth certificate was a Frenchwoman, Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122. French women outlive all but the Japanese, especially those from the southern part of the country. The pleasant region around Cahors seems particularly conducive to long life; residents there live five years longer than Merkin wimmin.
Medieval Pont Valenté in Cahors; barrel cellar at Château de Mercuès
Regular readers may think we're just being chauvinistic, but no! All this and more in an article in this morning's Washington Post. Blame the usual environmental factors: regular doses of hearty red wine and unctuous foie gras. In France, gals can expect to live to 95, guys to 91. À votre santé!
Molly Moore, an ex-Pentagon reporter for the Post who has done her share of conflict reporting, surely deserved to escape covering Paris politics for this piece, even if it meant she had to sample the "rustic" Cahors vintages. Maybe if her bosses in DC will extend her tour in France she too will live longer.
Posted by: the Paris Pal at February 5, 2007 10:53 AMRon - I drink mostly French wines from the South West. I have a handful of Cahors in the basement, too. I, too, shall live a long life! Cheers! Robert
Posted by: Robert at February 5, 2007 10:47 AMoui oui J'ai très soif - thank heaven for good wine and exquisite foie gras! Ciao, ~ Lisa - http://eastsidespin.com