Hôtel-Dieu of Blois

The Hôtel-Dieu of Blois

The Blois audio-guided tour has you discover the Hôtel-Dieu, an imposing silhouette of the banks of the Loire and a monumental ensemble of prime importance. Its history, from the medieval monastery to the nineteenth-century hospital, makes it a precious witness to the past of the city.

From a Benedictine property to a hospital

A monastic property of the Benedictine order since the Middle Ages, the building was profoundly transformed in the nineteenth century to become a large-scale hospital. It was only in 1865, following several campaigns of enlargement and renovation, that the Hôtel-Dieu took its present form, that of a vast ensemble of pavilions. It testifies to the evolution of care and assistance through the centuries.

What there is to see

The ensemble, which dominates the banks of the Loire, impresses with its scale and its architecture. A vestige of the monastic then hospital history of Blois, it offers a fine perspective over the river and the city. Depending on the period, some parts may host exhibitions or events. It is a stop for those interested in the heritage and the social history of the city.

Practical information

The Hôtel-Dieu of Blois is on the banks of the Loire, in the centre of the city. The façade and the ensemble can be contemplated from the public space; interior access depends on the activities and exhibitions that may be organised there, according to its own schedule.

What was the Hôtel-Dieu of Blois originally?

A monastic property of the Benedictine order, since the Middle Ages, before becoming a hospital in the nineteenth century.

When did the Hôtel-Dieu take its present form?

In 1865, after several campaigns of enlargement and renovation that made it a vast hospital ensemble of pavilions.