For its 50th anniversary, this retirement home in Saint-Tropez is giving itself a facelift

Gathered in the lobby, residents waited quietly before nibbling on a handful of treats after the inauguration of their brand-new reception area. Everyone had postponed lunchtime for this extraordinary gathering.

" Have you noticed these new bay windows and this beautiful light? This layout is great for us. We even have a bigger space for our blow-drying !" a retiree whispers quietly to her daughter.

Around them, the other regulars are also unanimous. Everyone appreciates the reorganization of the entrance, the relocation of the reception desk, and the expansion of the hair salon at the Ehpad des Platanes in Saint-Tropez. " This little facelift was necessary. Now, families walk through the doors of a bright and welcoming space ," says Laura Bedu, the establishment's director.

A rearrangement also welcomed by Patricia Compassi, president of the association of friends of the retirement home (Amare).

" For the residents, it's a real space saver. Before, we were seated in the dining hall to participate in the various activities I supervised. We had to wait until lunch was over and leave before the snack break. I only had about an hour to keep them occupied. Today, we'll be able to entertain them in the main hall ," the volunteer explains.

Double party

Once the decor and new rooms had been examined by the residents' families, the chairman of the board of directors of Les Platanes, Gérard Abbe, took the microphone to thank everyone behind this renovation, which cost 400,000 euros.

" Medical staff, council members, and construction workers worked together to maintain a safe environment during the work and to keep the area safe for residents," he said.

Supported by the director, the Tropézien took advantage of this gathering to celebrate another event with the public: the anniversary of the creation of the structure and its association.

50 years of dedication

" Our story is a bit unusual and begins in 1974," smiles Gérard Abbe. "At that time, the Ursuline de Jésus congregation decided to completely focus its establishment's activities on a home for the elderly. To manage this, the Platanes association was created the following year. "

Until 1991, the nuns took care of 47 people under their roof before selling their convent to the municipality of Saint-Tropez. Three years after this purchase, the municipality proposed to extend the site to accommodate around fifteen additional people. " The work was completed in 1999. Since then, we have always been accompanied and supported by the municipality in our various renovation and beautification projects," thanks the president of the board of directors, applauding the mayor of Saint-Tropez, Sylvie Siri, who was also present.

Before sharing the famous glass of friendship, the director took the floor to wish her teams " 50 years as wonderful as the previous ones ."