Fernand Calment

Birth


Fernand Nicolas Calment was born on November 3rd, 1868 in rue Royale, Arles to Jacques Calment and Maria Felix. His birth act was signed by Emile Fassin, the future mayor of Arles.

Bacalaureat


When Fernand was 17, he boarded in the college of Arles. His mathematics teacher Dubourget was well known at that time. Jacques Calment died on April 14th, 1886 from typhus just before Fernand passed his baccalauréat exam in July 1886. Thus, Fernand probably had to stop his studies to continue the family business.

Marriage and family
On April 8th, 1896, Fernand married his double second cousin Jeanne Calment.

On January 19th, 1898, Fernand and Jeanne had a daughter, Yvonne Calment.

La Maison Calment
In 1938, Fernand's store at rue Gambetta “La Maison Calment” was sold to another merchant, more precisely to the store named "Veuve Philippe Bouisson et fils", who continued it, while the store's real-estate remained Calment's property and was rented to Bouisson (the whole building remained Calment's property). This was done through a contract registered on March 10th 1938, likely signed in February 1938. The online mortgage records show its registration date, its overall amount (375.000 francs), and that at least Fernand Calment and Madame Calment were the business sellers/landlords (we don't know in which proportions each), and Bouisson was the buyer/leaseholder. In 1944, Bouisson was still running the Gambetta store, where they were selling furniture (while the drapery part was at rue Jouvène, the original address of the Bouisson's store).

Later the Gambetta store, still part of the "Maison Bouisson", was called "Au foyer moderne" ("Modern home"), selling furniture, bedding, curtains, furnishing. Satin Liberty was sold in the store in 1914 consistent with the memories of Madame Calment about their dog named Liberty after this satin.

In 1904, the great Circus Pinder offered a prize which was stored in La Maison Calment.

Society Activity
Fernand enjoyed velo-sport in 1891-1902. His cousin Nicolas Crouanson and Louis Ginoux also enjoyed velo.

In 1907, Fernand was elected vice president of association of gallic hunters which gathered at cafe Puech, boulevard des Lices since 1909. The velo club gathered in same cafe. Fernand was (vice) president of the association amicale des anciens élèves du collège d'Arles from 1911 until 1931. In 1912, Fernand donated a Siamese cat to the museum of natural history. In 1914, Calment, Crouanson, Masson and Morizot were all active in the school organization.

In 1915, Fernand collected 10,600 francs ($100,000 in modern money) of gold from Arlesians to help finance France's involvement in WW1. The Bouissons collected twice more. According to Lamy's book, Madame Calment told her validators that her father was the leader of the anti-German society, but in fact it was Fernand, the father of Yvonne Calment. On September 19th, 1931, a month after Yvonne Calment was photographed at the hotel Belvedere in Leysin, Fernand visits a big local music event without Jeanne. It would be strange to mention a high profile husband without mentioning his wife. Madame Castelbon was mentioned with her husband, for example. We know that Jeanne loved music, so this is consistent with the assumption that she was away in Leysin suffering from tuberculosis. Note also that Jeanne is not seen on any public photos from the 1920s or 30s.

Inheritance of Nicolas Calment


Nicolas Calment had transferred his property to his children before he died and after his death they inherited only several francs from him. With a two year delay, the inheritance act was signed by François Calment who lived in Toulon (his name appears on the first page) but in fact the signature belongs to Fernand (his signatures are seen on the right).

Deals
Fernand borrowed 150,000 francs to his bank in July 1935, using his building as a guarantee. In October 1941 he reimbursed it completely. In 1938 he rented out his business (together with Madame Calment).

Death
Fernand died on October 3, 1942 after several months of liver cancer which was allegedly the result of cherry poisoning.

More Pictures
For further pictures of Fernand, see his wife Jeanne Calment or visit the Gallery.