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Origin and history

The Hospice Raspail is a building whose origins date back to the second half of the eighteenth century, although an unverified tradition evokes an earlier property attributed in 1725 to architect Germain Boffrand. The preserved architectural elements, such as stairs and pilasters on the ground floor, however, date from this late period. There is no tangible evidence of Boffrand's membership, except perhaps the older cellars.

Under the First Empire, the estate came into the hands of financier Artaud, who added a billiard room and its decor, the only part classified as a Historic Monument in 1933. This room replaces a street that once crossed the current park. In the mid-19th century, an owner then mayor of Arcueil changed the exterior appearance, adding in particular a crenellated staircase turret, reflecting the romantic tastes of the era.

In 1863 Benjamin Raspail acquired the property without making any structural changes, but set up a gallery in a park building (former orangery?) to display his paintings and those acquired during his exile in Belgium. When he died, he left the house and his furniture to the Seine department, with the aim of establishing a hospice for the elderly and a museum dedicated to his collection and his father's political work, François Raspail.

The museum, which operated until 1978 with some 30 residents, preserved the historical installations, while the museum closed in 1940. In the 1960s, the works were sold after the bequest was cancelled by the heirs for non-compliance with the clauses. Today, part of the house must host a memorial space dedicated to Raspail, and the park is open to the public.

The site, owned by the Val-de-Marne department, illustrates the changes in a private domain in public equipment, between architectural heritage, social vocation and memorial issues. The billiard room, with its 18th-century décor, remains the only protected element under the Historic Monuments since 1933.

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