This episode will be available on 11/15.
In this series “ Latest sex news” of Feet on Earth, we discover intimate testimonies on sexuality today, in the light of a new scientific survey by Inserm which points out the changes in practices of the French.
Paulette never knew pleasure during her sixty years of marriage. It was at the age of 93 that she discovered sensuality and love for the first time, with a retired soldier, Mr. Sammani, whom she met in a retirement home. But it's as if they've always lived together.
She was married, Paulette, to a man who was not in love “at all, at all” and with whom she was not in love either. They kissed and slept together without pleasure. While with Mr. Sammani, they are “so happy“And then sexually, that.”marche ” encore. “We kiss each other, we talk kindly to each other, we say loving words to each other and everything, better than when we were young. […] We can't believe we still do it so often, but in the end we just have that to do! ” Paulette.
“We want to do anything at any time, any day, we do it and that’s it.”
The beds are a little too small for two people to sleep in, and Paulette is always afraid that her lover will fall in the night. Then she's not jealous Paulette, she wouldn't have a problem if he went “look elsewhere”. But she warns any men who might try it with her: “It's nice, but I tell them right away that there's no point in insisting, it's zero, zero.” Paulette. And it doesn't matter what their opinion is.
When Morgane and Guy met at a mutual friend's house, it was love at first sight. “We practically threw ourselves at each other. We went to the hotel very quickly. It was very fiery.” Guy.
At this time, Morgane was married. So Guy, twenty-five years her junior, discreetly finds her at the hotel. When Morgane joins the Champs Manceaux nursing home in Rennes, because she suffers from serious scoliosis leaving her confined to a wheelchair, things become complicated. “We took a long time before taking action. Morgane made me understand that she wanted it to happen.” Guy.
“Why shouldn’t Madame have the right to have fun while in a nursing home?”
One day, the nursing home staff surprised Guy and Morgane: “The manager had an accusatory look. I told him we weren't doing anything wrong. […] She wanted to make sure it wasn't abuse. I thought it was all over.” Guy. Ultimately, those responsible understood that the relationship between the lovers was healthy. “They put up a little sign saying “please do not disturb” so that we can have peace of mind.” explains Guy.
Guy and Morgane's sexual relations have, of course, evolved with Morgane's health problems. But between them, there is still as much desire and attention. “I have a lot of feelings for Guy and I want that to continue for a very long time.” says Morgane, who likes to be perfumed and well-groomed when Guy visits her. The latter hopes that Morgane will want to have sex for as long as possible, in his interest and especially in his own, “because sexuality is important for psychological balance“.
It was at the nursing home that Joe and Béa, aged over 80, experienced the first love at first sight of their lives. All her life, Béa had to respond to her husband's sexual assaults, “be his geisha”. Joe felt guilty about his wife's desire, even though “mechanically” it no longer worked since his prostate cancer.
Together, they reinvent sensual and loving gestures, decentered from genital sexuality. “I've had quite a few men in my life, always with very physical relationships. And it did me good to meet a man full of kindness.“
“We may have more sex, but we have words that replace them, which are worth a lot of loving gestures”
Both of them would like to sleep together. We told them that these days things go better than before, that it's not impossible. “I would kiss her wherever it would please her, I would cover her with kisses, Joe explains. If I know it will please him, I redouble my enthusiasm.“
The Paths of Philosophy Listen later
Lecture listen 58 min
Thanks to Morgane and Guy, Paulette and Mr. Sammani, Joe and Béa. Thanks to Juliette Rousseau, Elisabeth Metayer, Emilie Masclet, Gabrielle Cauchy and all the nursing staff at the Champs-Manceaux nursing home in Rennes. Thanks to Armelle Andro.
- Reportage : Pauline Chanu
- Realization : Eric Lancien
Ending music : “Just Like Honey”, The Jesus and Mary Chain – Album : Psychocandy (1985)
To go further
- Contexts of sexualities in France, an investigation under the direction of Armelle Andro, Nathalie Bajos and Caroline Moreau carried out for the ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases, by Inserm (National Institute of Health and Medical Research) and Public Health France.
In partnership with Libération
