Published
Video length: 8 min
Vienna: the beguinage, a habitat for independent seniors
Vienna: the beguinage, a habitat for independent seniors – (France 2)
The 13 Heures de France 2 newspaper takes you near Poitiers, Monday January 22. Imagine a residence with around twenty houses and a large garden and many activities in common: this is what we call a beguinage. Reporting.
The beguinage is a group of individual dwellings with shared spaces. This one, in Vienne, welcomes independent seniors who wish to remain independent while having common activities. It is inspired by the beguinages of Northern Europe where communities of religious or secular women once lived. Today, in Montmorillon, you can settle in alone or as a couple. Serge and his wife Michelle have been married for almost 60 years. They were seduced by this mix of social life and comfort. “It’s modern, whereas we were still in an old house (…) it’s a form of cocoon for me”, rejoices Michelle. At the beguinage, you always meet someone, but everyone is free to live as they wish, here, no obligation.
For seniors with low incomes
“There is a social vocation in the beguinage, most of them are reserved for seniors who have low incomes (…) there are more and more of them, in the city, some even settle in buildings”details Valérie Heurtel, journalist present on set.
