EHRET and InterStores are installing aluminum shutters that are true to the original design for the Saint-Maur retirement home in Toulon.

Saint Maur Toulon 04

The Saint-Maur nursing home is located in the heart of Toulon’s Valbourdin district and is run by the non-profit association Saint-Maur. The U-shaped building offers around 9,500 square meters of living space and has more than 200 windows and French doors, many of which had become severely aged. The renovation was technically challenging, as the shutters for the historic arched windows had to be individually reproduced with millimeter precision. At the same time, it was necessary to comply with the strict requirements of the historic preservation authorities, as the building is listed as a historic monument and the original facade aesthetics had to be preserved.

After thorough market research, Inter Stores, a specialist in sun protection and window and door construction based in La Valette-du-Var, was awarded the contract for the complete renovation of the shutters. EHRET aluminum shutters play a key role in this project. Each individual shutter was custom-made with the utmost care and in keeping with the original style. They blend perfectly into the facades and preserve their traditional yet sophisticated aesthetics. In addition, they provide summer comfort, ventilation, privacy, and light regulation, offering residents a peaceful living environment adapted to the needs of older people. The project skillfully combines heritage conservation requirements, architectural elegance, and quality of life.

The Saint-Maur retirement home – an institution with a history deeply rooted in the Toulon region.
The history of the building dates back to 1854, when the religious congregation of the “Ladies of Saint-Maur” established a girls’ boarding school on the property. Converted into a family home in 1906 and a retirement home in 1982, the site was transformed in 2006 into a modern retirement home with 130 beds, including 13 in a sheltered housing unit and two specialized areas for adapted care and activation. All places are eligible for social assistance and are therefore also open to people on low incomes. Nestled in a one-hectare wooded and protected park, the facility embodies a tradition of hospitality, companionship, and care, true to the core values of the congregation.

Inter Stores is an experienced and dedicated top partner of EHRET.
As an EHRET installer with over 20 years of experience, Inter Stores has been part of the exclusive circle of EHRET top partners in France for three years. These experienced professionals work closely with the EHRET teams to communicate practical needs, share their experiences, and actively contribute to the further development of the product range.

“Isabel Ferreira, sales representative, and Rémi Agostinetti, measurement technician and quality manager at Inter Stores, are leading the replacement of the shutters at the Saint-Maur retirement home. “The original shutters were made of wood, with slanted slats, in a very specific shade of green. Our goal was to reproduce the aesthetics and architecture of the existing shutters identically, while improving their practicality and durability. Aluminum shutters were the obvious choice: lightweight, easy to handle and maintain, they perfectly meet the requirements of a facility for the elderly,” explains Agostinetti.

“In order to preserve the original aesthetics of the Saint-Maur retirement home, the wooden shutters were replaced with custom-made aluminum shutters designed to replicate every detail of the existing model. The choice fell on EHRET’s Paris model with slanted slats in RAL 6019, which can be ideally adapted to arched openings, special formats with crossbars, and details such as French express bands. Each shutter was manufactured with millimeter precision, with the slats cut to fit the curves perfectly. EHRET is one of the few manufacturers that can produce openwork slats that fit curved windows perfectly, thus preserving the characteristic aesthetics of arched windows.

To create a harmonious overall look, accessories such as the female heads, hinges, and fastenings were also painted. A prototype was used to consult with the client and formed the basis for the final decision. The model was also equipped with functional improvements, including a twist lock for ventilation and sun protection, and a handle that makes it easier for independent residents to use. “This shutter plays a key role in summer comfort because it promotes air circulation and natural light in the rooms,” explains Ferreira.

“Three essential criteria had to be met for this project: architectural conformity, natural ventilation, and ease of use for users. Aurélia Comte-Marton, technical sales representative at EHRET, visited the site in advance with Isabel Ferreira to analyze the specific conditions of the building and translate the requirements into technically feasible solutions. The visit, during which Maurice Billo, president of the Saint-Maur association, personally welcomed the project partners, proved to be an important factor in building trust. “Personal support on site provides security. It is a real added value and makes a decisive difference in a project of this kind,” said Billo.

Installation is integrated smoothly into residents’ everyday lives.
Thanks to the perfect collaboration between EHRET and Inter Stores, each shutter was individually designed to accommodate the varying center distances between the windows of this old building. “Since there was no possibility of mass production, the project relied on careful craftsmanship and the experience of both partners,” said Comte-Marton.

“The original hinges were retained and the shutters were individually adapted to the specific features of each floor. The ground floor shutters are around one meter wide, three meters high, and have a rounded arch shape and four vertical hinges. In contrast, the shutters on the upper floors are slightly shorter, at around two meters high, and have two to three hinges. Measuring from hinge to hinge was a crucial step in ensuring a perfect fit between the hinges and the existing anchors on the facade. Thanks to a technique patented by EHRET, this precise approach enabled millimeter-precise installation from the inside without the need for a lifting platform. While other manufacturers offer similar solutions, EHRET’s method allows the shutters to be finely adjusted with screws during installation, while fully respecting the site’s heritage preservation requirements,” explains Agostinetti.

“The installation is taking place during normal operations, with Inter Stores ensuring precise and smooth organization. The work is being carried out room by room between 12 noon and 2 p.m., while the residents are having lunch or participating in activities. On average, four shutters were installed per day during the first phase of the project, without compromising the privacy and comfort of the elderly residents. With 80 shutters installed in the first phase, the renovation of the shutters at the Saint-Maur retirement home marks the start of a three-year, step-by-step modernization process—always in line with the needs of the facility and taking into account ongoing operations,” summarizes Comte-Marton. The next installation of another twenty pairs of shutters is already planned for September.

“This measure is much more than just restoration. It shows how partnership, technical expertise, and respect for historical substance go hand in hand. The result is a real benefit for the building and its residents,” Ferreira concludes.