Museum of the History of Medicine

The long, colonnaded building you're now walking past is the former School of Surgery. In the 18th century, surgery began to be recognized as a discipline in its own right. In 1731, a royal academy was founded, and in 1769, Louis XV had a school of surgery built. It was the first building in France designed specifically for medical education, paving the way for the medical schools of the 18th and 19th centuries. Architect Jacques Gondouin found inspiration in the classical style and Greek Antiquity, and the school opened its doors in 1775. No longer affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine, the School of Surgery laid the foundations for a new, experimental approach to medicine that led to significant advances in surgical techniques. Today, the building houses the headquarters of Université Paris-Cité and the fascinating Museum of the History of Medicine. If you're interested in medical history, I highly recommend a visit. The museum's collections are some of the oldest in Europe and are displayed in a stunning, wood-paneled room decorated with portraits of famous doctors. You'll get to see ancient surgical tools, prosthetics and anatomical models that offer a glimpse into the medical practices of bygone eras. One of the museum's highlights is the collection of instruments invented by renowned figures like Ambroise Paré, battlefield doctor and physician to the king, who revolutionized military medicine and is often considered the father of French surgery. Whether you're a history buff or simply curious about the past, this museum is a must-see!