Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse

Located in the historic district of Vieux-Lille, the Hospice Comtesse, a former medieval hospital founded in 1237 by Countess Jeanne de Flandre (c. 1200-1244), is an emblematic heritage site of the city of Lille. Since 1962, it has housed the city's museum of art and history.

The grandeur of its volumes and its architecture, characteristic of care facilities, embody over 750 years of hospitality and generosity. Rich with nearly 70,000 works, its very diverse collections reflect the social and cultural history of the capital of Flanders.

A place of memory, appreciated by Lille residents and tourists alike – with an average of 100,000 to 160,000 visitors per year – the Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse offers numerous temporary exhibitions, particularly of contemporary art, and a varied programme.

Awarded the “Musée de France” label in 2003 and classified as a “Monument Historique” in 1923 and 1991, the Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse is currently working on its future Scientific and Cultural Project (PSC). The collections, which evoke the history of Lille and Lille decorative arts, are presented in the building of the community of Augustinian sisters who managed the hospital until 1793. The Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse fulfils a public service mission which consists of preserving heritage works and enriching the collections through acquisitions. The presentation of permanent collections and the organisation of temporary exhibitions contribute to the valorisation of this heritage.