Inauguration of the Clair Soleil gerontological center in Nîmes: “The senior population in Gard is expected to grow by 40% by 2040”

Jacques Cadène est l’actuel président de la Maison de Santé Protestante de Nîmes. Midi Libre – Pierre Meuriot

Avec ses 79 appartement et ses résidences partagées, le pôle gérontologique Clair Soleil honore la riche tradition de la Maison de Santé Protestante de Nîmes, fondée il y a plus de 180 ans.

Elected officials, deputies and political figures gave their opinion this Friday, October 4, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Clair Soleil gerontological center in Nîmes. A major project, which is part of the long tradition of the Protestant Health Center, dedicated to the care and well-being of seniors.

A place steeped in history

During the inauguration, Jacques Cadène, president of the Protestant Health Center of Nîmes, retraced the history of the Clair Soleil gerontology center located at 3 rue de la Faïence. “This magical place is the fruit of the reflection of Protestant personalities, eager, since the 19th century, to come to the aid of single and sick women of the reformed religion”, he explained in front of an assembly composed mainly of residents and caregivers.

Established on a former convent of the Sisters of Charity of Besançon, the institution continues this vocation today. Christian Polge, administrator of the establishment, recalled that the site is home to many historical remains, such as the chapel, its staircase, as well as the facade of the shell pavilion, dating from the 18th century and freshly restored during Covid to preserve this rich heritage.

An ever-increasing proportion of seniors

With its 79 beds and its day care, the Clair Soleil gerontology center is one of the four centers making up the Protestant Health Center of Nîmes. Every year, the city of Nîmes sees its senior population grow. Franck Proust, president of Nîmes Métropole, explained that “[t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]heir proportion has increased by 4% in recent years, [t]the …the senior population in Gard is expected to grow by 40% by 2040."

Marie-Chantal Barbusse, deputy delegate for social action and deputy president of the CCAS, welcomed the creation of this new space. "It is not only a place of care, but a real living space. We thought about the comfort and well-being of residents, because we know that the demand for gerontological care is high in Nîmes." This center, with its 79 places, is therefore part of a modern vision of care for the elderly.

"A real place for living and sharing"

The project was widely supported by local authorities, starting with the Gard departmental council, represented by Christophe Serre, vice-president of the departmental council. “This hub is the culmination of an ambitious project, a real place for living and sharing”, he declared. 

After a final tribute paid by RN MP Sylvie Josserand to all the stakeholders who contributed to the success of this project, a tour of the hub was offered, allowing visitors to discover a space designed to meet current requirements in terms of comfort, care and quality of life for seniors.