Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Lazare d'Arles leproserie was first mentioned in 1183, although its current buildings date mainly from the 16th century. This establishment, dedicated to the reception of lepers, reflects the medieval and modern organization of the management of contagious diseases. In 1527, a flood caused significant degradation, requiring restoration work.

In 1556, a restoration project was launched to preserve existing structures and add a new building, forming two wings surrounding a central courtyard. This plan marks a key step in the architectural evolution of the site. In the 17th century, a portico surmounted by a gallery, now disappeared, was erected in front of the facades of the courtyard, illustrating the successive adaptations of the monument.

The leprosy could accommodate between 18 and 20 patients, with a strict separation between men and women, in accordance with the health practices of the time. In 1783, after the disappearance of its original vocation, the buildings were sold to an oil manufacturer. The latter transforms the old church into a mill and adds additional buildings, such as a house to the west and appentis on the eastern facades.

Classified as a Historic Monument in 2005, the Leproserie Saint-Lazare retains today its old buildings and its ground, grouped around the central courtyard. This site bears witness to the medical, architectural and social history of Arles, from the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries.

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