Timeline

Origin and history

The Musée des Hospices Civils de Lyon was founded in 1936 within the Hôtel-Dieu, with the mission of preserving and presenting the rooms classified as Historic Monuments of the former Hospital of Charity, destroyed at that time. It also preserves objects, documents and works of art related to the Civil Hospices of Lyon, reflecting the evolution of medicine, pharmacy and hospital life in Lyon. Its varied collections include decorative art pieces, fine arts, manuscripts, and ethnological or technical objects, illustrating both the medical and social history of the region.

In 2014, a large building site modernized the management of the museum's collections, then closed for the renovation of the Hôtel-Dieu. This project allowed for a complete inventory, preventive conservation, a 10-year renovation and digitization of works. Since then, the museum, labeled "Musée de France", has strengthened its missions through temporary exhibitions, partnerships with universities and cultural institutions in Lyon, and loans to other museums. Its 15,000 pieces make it the largest French hospital museum, covering topics ranging from medical sciences to collective religious practices.

The HCL Museum is distinguished by its multidisciplinary approach, combining history, art and society. It offers digital devices to make its collections accessible, while collaborating with local actors such as archives, libraries and associations dedicated to the medical and artistic heritage. Its anchoring in the Hôtel-Dieu, an emblematic historical monument of Lyon, and its proximity to other scientific institutions in Lyon make it a key player in the development of the hospital and cultural heritage of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

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