At the Domaine des Gueules Cassées, the ATHOS house will open in 2026
Founded in 1921, Union des Blessés de la Face et de la Tête ("Les Gueules Cassées") is a historical association born from solidarity.
The "Gueules Cassées" provide, in a spirit of brotherhood and mutual aid, moral and material assistance to soldiers wounded in combat, police officers, gendarmes and firefighters, customs officers, and prison staff wounded in the line of duty, suffering from facial or head injuries. The association also plays a role in maintaining the memory of the sacrifices made for the country. The Union des Blessés de la Face et la Tête (UBFT) continues its commitment, which spans over a century, by offering a new space of reconstruction for the wounded. With nearly 1,900 m2 dedicated to the rehabilitation of those who gave everything for France, this space of resilience will open its doors in spring 2026.
MULTIPURPOSE WORKSHOPS
Funded through sponsorship by the UBFT, this place of reconstruction is located on a portion of the Domaine des Gueules Cassées, in La Valette-du-Var, which welcomes wounded individuals and their families throughout the year for stays of rest and brotherhood. With over 1,900 m2, this ATHOS house comprises 3 levels and around ten studios with shared living spaces and multipurpose workshops for mechanics, sports, arts, or culture. Areas dedicated to interviews and individual follow-up are integrated, as well as offices and meeting rooms for management teams. Located on the edge of the wooded area of the Domaine des Gueules Cassées, the house benefits from a peaceful setting conducive to reconstruction. "The construction project requires a budget of nearly €10 million, funded by the Gueules Cassées. Indeed, as the creator of the Loterie Nationale in the 1930s and then of the Loto in 1976, the UBFT is a historic shareholder of La Française des Jeux (FDJ), which allows it to finance its missions for the benefit of the wounded and the general interest," specifies Olivier Roussel, Director General of the UBFT and administrator of the FDJ. Launched in 2021, the ATHOS house network has 5 sites in Bordeaux, Toulon, Auray, Savoie, and Lauragais. A 6th house is scheduled to open near Colmar. The one at the Domaine des Gueules Cassées in La Valette-du-Var will follow in early 2026. By 2030, about ten locations will be spread across the Hexagon and Overseas. To date, more than 500 wounded individuals benefit from these reconstruction spaces. Given the specific nature of post-traumatic stress, long-term support is planned. That is why each wounded person becomes a life member of their ATHOS house, even after their departure as a resident. •