Le patrimoine des hôpitaux parisiens

The fascinating history of Parisian hospitals from the 7th century to the present day

Several Parisian hospitals were founded under the Ancien Régime. As early as the 7th century, institutional charity was evident at the Hôtel-Dieu, whose name evokes the role of the Church and its concern for the salvation of the soul.

Other establishments had royal origins, such as the Quinze-Vingts hospital, wished for by Saint Louis to shelter 300 blind people. The Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion were hardly conducive to royal generosity.

It was not until Henri IV that investment followed epidemics, in the magnificent buildings of the Hôpital Saint-Louis. Anne of Austria and Louis XIV contributed greatly to the founding of institutions.

The staff were drawn from religious orders, but in the 17th century Saint Vincent de Paul promoted women who were not cloistered. The secularisation of the staff came about gradually.

Some details on medical specialities and on the collections of the museum, now closed, will complete the visit.