"Eminent observer (of) French society" according to Elisabeth Borne, sociologist Alain Touraine died Friday in Paris at the age of 97. Prime Minister deplored the death of "one of the great figures of a generation of French sociologists" The mayor of Lille Martine Aubry praised "an incomparable analyst of the Society, an endearing man" The International Sociological Association paid tribute to "a reference for social movements, which has profoundly contributed to a better understanding of social reality"