Saint-Blancard: a tourist residence associated with an inauguration announced for the first quarter of 2026

Located in the heart of Gers, the municipality of Saint-Blancard is about to experience a significant turn with the conversion of the old Functional Rehabilitation Center into a tourist residence. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026, this ambitious project aims to transform the village’s identity and invigorate its tourist offering, while addressing the needs of caregivers and people in situations of dependence.

A determining project for the village

The mayor of Saint-Blancard, Christine Huppert, carries this project with remarkable conviction. After several years of refusals and unsuccessful efforts, securing the necessary funding has been a true relief. The project for the rehabilitation of the old Rehabilitation Center, closed for more than two years, will play a crucial role in the future of the municipality recently integrated into the new administrative entity, Cap d’Astarac.

This project represents not only a change of use but also an opportunity to create a space that will accommodate between 120 and 160 people, including both caregivers and their loved ones. The transformation of this 8,000 m² space into a shared respite area demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to supporting families and improving their quality of life.

The stakes of the conversion

The conversion of this establishment requires substantial work to meet current standards in the tourism sector. Christine Huppert has anticipated a duration of six months for this work, a timeframe considered reasonable to transform a place initially intended for care into a welcoming space. Didier-Pier Florentin, representative of the Regional Health Agency, emphasizes the importance of this project as a benchmark for other upcoming initiatives in the region.

The transformation involves a thorough renovation of the building to make it more welcoming, with adaptations suited to the users’ needs. This project promises to create a true center of attractiveness, not only for residents but also for visitors in search of serenity and well-being.

The creation of jobs and local impact

With the opening of the residence, the project will also generate job opportunities in the sector. Approximately 80 jobs will be created by the first quarter of 2026, thus responding to a local demand for work. Christine Huppert indicates that several residents of the municipality will be potential candidates, but it will also be necessary to attract outside skills to meet this new dynamic.

The municipal will to support this transition through the creation of housing and necessary infrastructure is manifested by the vision of structuring the residence around an environment favorable to employees and families. These developments will contribute not only to the success of the respite residence but also to the overall development of the community.

Cap d’Astarac: a new dynamic

The integration of Saint-Blancard into Cap d’Astarac is part of a broader strategy for the revitalization of the region. The tourist developments around the future residence aim to encourage the arrival of visitors and promote local resources. Christine Huppert highlights the ambition of the new municipality, which includes the development of a diverse tourist offering, beneficial for the four villages that compose it.

This ambitious project for a tourist residence in Saint-Blancard positions itself as a model to follow for other municipalities in the region. By combining social vision and economic opportunities, this initiative could truly transform local life and support the growth of tourism in Gers.