His only work for children – Tistou les pouces verts – was published in 1957 and translated into English in 1958 (as 'Tistou of the Green Thumbs) and 2012 (as Tistou: The Boy With Green Thumbs).[7]
He was Minister of Cultural Affairs (1973–1974) in Pierre Messmer's cabinet, and a deputy of Paris (1978–1981). He is survived by his second wife, Madeleine Marignac, whom he married in 1968.[8] Druon was a descendant of Brazilian author Odorico Mendes.