In the southern French village of Mende, which counts 12,000 inhabitants, protesters break a record with between 2,000 and 3,000 people marching against pension reform that adds to the difficulties of life in rural areas. "We have a good quality of life, but there are also many farmers, people in precarious situations, who can see that with this reform they will lose out even more," explains Nathalie Perret, a retired teacher. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES