The building known as the Salles de Saint-Nicolas, standing at the corner of Rue Jeanne d’Arc and Rue du Grand Ferré, is the former Hôtel-Dieu of Compiègne. It was built in the 12th century on the foundations of an old annex belonging to the Abbey of Sainte-Corneille. In medieval France, Hôtels-Dieu were charitable hospitals, some dating back to the 7th century, offering free care and shelter to the poor, orphans, and travelling pilgrims. The poor weren’t seen as a threat to society, but rather as reflections of Christ, and caring for them was considered a sacred Christian duty. These institutions were usually founded by bishops, queens, or kings, like Louis IX, better known as Saint Louis, famous for his piety and generosity. While he didn’t actually found the Hôtel-Dieu of Compiègne himself, he gave it so much in wealth and privileges that he basically earned the credit anyway! According to legend, in 1257, he and his brother, the King of Navarre, personally carried the first patient into the hospital, wrapped in a golden sheet. In the 19th century, the hospital’s grand halls were repurposed as elegant reception and exhibition spaces, adorned with medieval-style banners created for local festivals. Inside the chapel, don’t miss the beautifully carved oak altarpiece, a gift from Marie de’ Medici, queen of France and a generous patron of the arts.