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In 1998, retirement homes and long-term care facilities housed some 480,000 people over 60. We describe the main demographic features of this population: two-thirds are widows over 75, female residents are more likely to be dependent than male. We then survey the health, income, socio-professional background, networks, family relations, and everyday and social lives of institutional residents. Entry into an institution is mainly explained by poor health. Over half the residents are highly dependent (classified in dependency groups 1 to 3), and women are more likely to be dependent, and more likely to be more dependent. Family networks are looser than at home, but regular contact is maintained: visits by close family members are typically at least monthly. On the other hand, institutional residents exhibit low participation in cultural or leisure activities other than board games organized by the institution and watching television. Most residents claim to be broadly satisfied with their accommodation.