Hotel-Dieu Foundation vers 1140 (≈ 1140)
First hospital for pilgrims and poor people.
XVIe siècle
Intervention of apothecaries
Intervention of apothecaries XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Regular monitoring of patients started.
1686
Portal carved by Pierre Vaneau
Portal carved by Pierre Vaneau 1686 (≈ 1686)
Monumental entrance to the Hôtel-Dieu.
1914
Classification of the porch
Classification of the porch 1914 (≈ 1914)
Protection of medieval and Renaissance elements.
1991
Global listing of the monument
Global listing of the monument 1991 (≈ 1991)
Chapel, pharmacy and protected historic halls.
1998
UNESCO classification
UNESCO classification 1998 (≈ 1998)
Integrated into the roads of Compostela.
2010
Rehabilitation by Wilmotte
Rehabilitation by Wilmotte 2010 (≈ 2010)
Contemporary restoration of the site.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Porch comprising two doors to the right, a door at the bottom overlooking the buildings of the Hôtel-Dieu and the stone vault placed above: classification by decree of 22 September 1914; Hotel-Dieu, including the chapel with its woodwork decor, the dome above the vestibule opening onto the Grasmanent porch, the Eyraud-Renier room (first floor above the chapel) and its painted décor, the former chapel of Saint-Esprit (used as stores) and the sacristy, the large room of the sick (first floor of the kitchen building), the pharmacy and its woodwork, the Council room (first floor above the pharmacy) and its woodwork and the old chapter hall (Box AC 92, 40): inscription by order of 4 March 1991
Key figures
Pierre Vaneau - Sculptor
Author of the door (1686).
Jean-Michel Wilmotte - Architect
Rehabilitation in 2010.
Origin and history
The Hôtel-Dieu du Puy-en-Velay, built in 1140 against Notre Dame Cathedral, was the first hospital in the city. Destined to welcome pilgrims and destitute on the road to Santiago de Compostela, he embodied medieval charity. Medicine was then based on "simple" (medicinal plants), administered in herbal teas, ointments or syrups. Compound remedies appeared later, while gardens cultivated these therapeutic plants.
In the 16th century, apothecaries were hired to follow patients regularly, marking a professionalization of care. The site became a major medical centre in the 18th century, with an office of doctors and a hospital pharmacy among the oldest and largest in France. A tisaner (plant dryers) was added in the 19th century, extending a tradition of 10 centuries of uninterrupted care.
The monument, partially classified as early as 1914 (stone porch) and inscribed in 1991 (chapel, patient room, wooded pharmacy), illustrates the architectural and medical evolution. His door was carved in 1686 by Pierre Vaneau. Rehabilitated in 2010 by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, he now bears witness to this unique hospital heritage, linked to pilgrimage and therapeutic innovation.
The Hôtel-Dieu is inseparable from the Cathedral district of Puy, classified at UNESCO in 1998 with Notre Dame Cathedral, for its role in the roads of Compostela. Its history thus combines faith, medicine and hospitality, reflecting the social and religious importance of the city in the Middle Ages and in modern times.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review