Abstract. The study examined the profiles of basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS) and frustration (BPNF) in a sample of older people living in French nursing homes. It is also addresses the relationships of these profiles with depressive symptoms and adaptation to nursing home. The residents ( N = 134) completed various French self-report questionnaires. Cluster analyses revealed five distinct profiles: (a) High BPNF ( n = 19); (b) Low BPN ( n = 36); (c) Moderate BPNS and low BPNF ( n = 23); (d) high BPNS and moderate BPNF ( n = 33); and (e) High BPNS ( n = 23). Practitioners and staff members should better respect residents’ needs if nursing homes are to become places to live rather than places only to receive care.