Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Hôtel-Dieu de Dreux is a historic monument dating back to the 16th century, with a chapel built between 1562 and 1600. This brick and stone building is organized around an inner courtyard and houses a chapel dedicated to Saint John. The ensemble reflects the hospital architecture of the time, combining religious and charitable functions.

The site is also marked by the presence of an abandoned tower for children found, integrated into a pillar of the access portal. This system, which was formalized in 1811, operated from 1812 to 1837 and welcomed nearly 500 children before disappearing in 1860. Composed of a half-cylinder of wood mounted on pivot, it allowed anonymous abandonment of newborns, with access from the street and the courtyard. This tower is the only one kept in the department of Eure-et-Loir.

The chapel, now transformed into an exhibition hall, and the portal housing the abandoned tower have been protected under the Historic Monuments since 1982 and 2008, respectively. These elements reflect the evolution of social and medical practices, as well as the hospital architecture throughout the centuries.

The Hôtel-Dieu, owned by the municipality of Dreux, also illustrates the central role of hospitals in caring for vulnerable populations, especially abandoned children, a recurring problem until the 19th century. Its state of conservation and its location make it a remarkable local heritage, anchored in the social history of the region Centre-Val de Loire.

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