Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Mantes-la-Jolie originated in the donation of François-Victor Duhamel in 1913. The latter, uncle of writer George Duhamel and great traveler, bequeaths a fond of 600 pieces of French and European ceramics. This heritage, enriched by various works, forms the heart of the collections exhibited in this ancient medieval hospital.

The institution also owes its fame to the Maximilien Luce (1858-1941), a neo-impressionist and anarchist painter whose works were given by his son, Frédéric Luce. The museum showcases these collections, as well as local historical elements, such as medieval sculptures, 14th-century stained glass windows from the Mantes collegiate, and 13th-century Hebrew tombstones.

The Hôtel-Dieu itself, built in the 14th century under the reign of Charles V, was profoundly redesigned in the 16th and 17th centuries. Managed by Augustine nuns, he once welcomed the poor, pilgrims and orphans. Today, the building houses a museum labeled "Musée de France", combining medical, artistic and historical heritage.

The museum's collections also include works by artists close to Maximilien Luce, such as Kees van Dongen and Louis Valtat, offering an overview of modern and neo-impressionist art. The museum's official address, 1 Thiers Street, and its historic location make it a major cultural site of the Yvelines, in Île-de-France.

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