The language test is usually, but not always, dropped for over 60s. There is no reason to turn somebody down because they are retired. Perhaps the person who said that is the case has something in their past they are covering that with the 'retired' story. I have already looked into it and cannot because of a student demo in 1968 in Paris where my collar was felt and I joined a bus load of others who were taken to a ferry or other borders and had our passports stamped. In short, it a little blemish goes a long way. But age is not one of them otherwise I would never have looked into it myself.
Frances, so sorry for the delay - I’ve only just got back into Survive France. I’ve just posted on the nationality for dummies page - it all came through and I’m now French since last month. Waiting was the worst and I was getting anxious even though the 12 months after January turned into only 10.