Garden ad helps old man find love

91-year-old's painted sign outside house drew media attention - and a new partner for Roger-Marc

A LONELY pensioner in the Gironde has proved it is never too late in life to find love - after putting up a sign outside his home and finding a partner at the ripe old age of 91.

Roger-Marc Grenier, from Libourne, began a determined search for a girlfriend in June with a poster at the bottom of his garden and is now sharing life with 86 year-old Yolande.

Mr Grenier's plea for a woman came after the death of his wife left a huge hole in his life. The appeal captured the attention of international media, and several enquirers.

His sign read: "Due to bereavement, looking for woman to live with, 70-80 years old with or without car" - painted on to a large piece of plywood.

He took the unusual approach having already tried placing an ad in the local paper without success.

After a few false trails, along came Yolande from nearby Arveyres, who moved in with her chickens and her dog, Bianca.

A family friend told Connexion: "It's a very happy ending. Being alone was really hard for Roger-Marc after his wife Simone died, and now they're both happy which is nice to see."

Roger-Marc and Yolande are not commenting. Yoyo, as she is affectionately known, has kept her own flat in Arveyres but for the moment has no plans to move back into it.

"It's not exactly a passionate love affair. It's friendship and companionship and it's sharing life, which is so important," the friend added. "They just enjoy life together."