Recipe for More Golden Years?

"People are entering these homes later and later," said Yves Panassie, 57, head of social affairs for the town government. "But when they enter, they are more handicapped."

The town has hired 110 people to deliver meals to elderly residents who can no longer go out. Requests for these home-delivered meals have doubled in the last four years, according to Panassie.

So, does the fountain of youth flow with foie gras, red wine and olive oil?

Women in the more temperate Mediterranean countries -- France, Spain and Italy -- tend to live longer than those in colder northern countries. The trends are also reflected within France itself: Women from southern areas where olive oil and duck fat are more prevalent in diets have longer life spans than those from northern areas, where diets include more butter, beef and pork, according to demographers.

The oldest person in modern history with an authenticated birth certificate was a Frenchwoman, Jeanne Calment, who died at age 122 in 1997 in Provence.

But sociologists, statisticians and doctors concede that there is no agreement on why some, like the women of Cahors, live so much longer than others. Is it genetic, nutritional, psychological or physiological?

Vialard, whose thick thatch of silvery hair, bird-like blue-gray eyes and razor-sharp mind belie a century of living, says there is no contradiction in drinking good wine, eating a bit of goose liver and remaining healthy. It's all a matter of moderation.

"I didn't do anything in excess in my life," said Vialard, who lived in her own house until she fell and broke a hip two years ago. She now resides in one of the growing number of nursing homes. "I don't have a sweet tooth," she said. She has all but three of her original teeth. "I like fruit, I don't like cream. I don't like greasy food; I don't cook with a lot of oil, even if it's olive oil."

Vialard and her husband, who died a dozen years ago, didn't own a car. They walked or bicycled where they needed to go in Cahors. Her one regret, she said, is that she has outlived all her relatives. Her only child died as a baby.

Her recipe for long life is echoed by many of the retired women of Cahors.

"This is the land of gastronomy, and I like the Cahors wines," said 87-year-old Jeanne Cuisiner, taking a break from her weekly card game at a seniors center deep in the town's old quarter, where the streets are too narrow for cars. "But I drink one glass now and then. I never smoked, I eat a lot of vegetables and not much meat."

Next to a lively card game, her favorite pastime is dancing the tango, said Cuisiner, a mischievous grin crossing a face as creased as a favorite road map.

Across town, on the edge of the city cemetery, another group of retirees gathers at the Silver Hair Center. "I eat a bowl of soup every night," said Aliette Picuira, 82, whose hair is expertly colored a youthful brown. "At the end of the soup, I put in three big spoons of wine and drink it."

It's a local custom especially popular among the more rural residents.

Another active participant at the center, Raymonde Labat, 83, says that although doctors and scientists have hailed the health benefits of red wine, "I'd rather eat my meals with champagne."

Labat is also a dancer -- waltzes are her favorite -- but her passion is going out to restaurants. "I know every restaurant in the region," she said. "I go to restaurants every weekend, but I only eat a little. I go not so much to eat, but to go out and be with friends."

She paused and leaned forward conspiratorially. "I want to give you the secret to longevity: Laugh and have fun and make jokes."

Researcher Corinne Gavard contributed to this report.