Two havens of peace far from Covid-19: Henri Boutfol, 85, and Renée Bodin, 93, live alone in their houses in the village of Happonvilliers, in Eure-et-Loir.
The health crisis and confinements have changed little in their daily lives.
AFP had met Henri Boutfol last April during the first confinement, and this sublime photo (below) had been released.
We used it in this article.
Today, and while he lived the second confinement serenely, his life is still punctuated by the visits of the liberal nurses who come to treat him.
Henri Boutfol last April during the first confinement.
JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
Henri Boutfol lives in the old farm which he operated with his now deceased brother.
He was born there and does not intend to leave Faux-Perche, this corner of the department located between Beauce plate and Perche vallonné.
To relight his stove-stove, Henri Boutfol crumpled the newspaper, fetched a matchbox, then plugged in a hair dryer to revive the hearth.
JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
Except for its bathroom, with Italian shower and electric heating, it has not given in to modernity.
The house has only one living room and the stove runs on wood.
Modest, Henri Boutfol's world includes a sofa and a table on which he conscientiously eats and iron the bandages placed on his ulcers every day by the nurses who visit him.
The only living room on Henri Boutfol's farm.
JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
During December, Diane Braccagni came to do her tour.
With undisguised affection and unparalleled dexterity, the one who has been a liberal nurse for 25 years applies care to the octogenarian.
She takes her time, talks to the former farmer who appreciates it, because the regular visits here are not legion.
Every day, Henri gets up at 7:00 am, eats lunch and then waits for the delivery of the newspaper and the postman's round.
He then plays his tapes again before the nurse arrives.
The octogenarian has been treated at home for 20 years.
"
Confinement or not, I'm still there,
" he explains.
“
I don't have a car.
I am supplied by my nephew (...) We are not at the end of the world, even if the neighbors are 800 meters on either side
”.
The Covid-19 has not changed anything in its habits.
Moreover, he "
is not afraid
", he who wants to "
remain free in the countryside
".
Before Christmas, he planned to be vaccinated so as not to deprive himself, next year, of his “
only outing
”: the festive meal offered by the municipality.
Mme Renée Bodin, 93, at home in Happonvilliers.
JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
However, if Henri lives in isolation, the public usually comes to Renée Bodin.
In her house and garden decorated with mosaics, she receives visitors curious to discover the universe of this former professor of classical letters.
But that was before, because no one has come since the second confinement ...
Renée Bodin says she is in love with freedom, surrounded by her books and her cats.
JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
The only noticed presence of the Covid, a visor offered by a visitor.
But the object remains hanging from a hook near the front door.
“
I can't imagine putting on a mask when I go out.
In principle we have to hide, but I don't care.
I don't want stuff like that, I don't care
”.
"
The second confinement, I did not ask myself any questions,
" says this lady, still alive.
“
I don't find myself confined.
No one is forcing me to live here, in a closed house.
I can open anytime when I want, I can get away from it all.
I am free
”.
Unlike Henri, she refuses the vaccine.
At 93, it's too late: Renée is no longer risking anything and she says she is "
happy
" with her books and her cats.