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Origin and history

The Saint-Julien de Caudebec-en-Caux was founded in the early 13th century, when it was founded in the city centre as a charitable institution. This first establishment, dedicated to welcoming the poor and the sick, marks the beginning of a long history linked to local solidarity. Its initial location, rue des Sorsis, reflects its anchoring in the medieval urban fabric of the city, then under religious and seigneurial influence.

In 1684-1685, the Hospice was moved out of the ramparts, in a property called Maison Bucaille (later Henri IV building), marking a transition to a larger and modern structure. This 17th century building, made of brick and stone, was enlarged in 1725 by a second body of houses, illustrating the expansion of hospital needs. A chapel, dedicated to St.Leonard, was built around 1780, on the eve of the Revolution, consolidating the spiritual dimension of the institution.

The building, characteristic of Norman architecture, with its brick facades and dardian roofs, was listed as historic monuments in 1996. The protection includes facades, roofs of the Henri IV and 1725 buildings, a remarkable staircase, a walled room, and the chapel. Today transformed into a retirement home, the hospice continues its vocation of welcoming, while at the same time testifying to seven centuries of social and architectural history.

Historical sources, such as The Heritage of the Communes of Seine-Maritime (1997) or the works of Jacqueline and Maurice Dragon (1990), underline its role in the evolution of rural hospital structures. The changes of the 19th century, although less documented, suggest an ongoing adaptation to the health standards and needs of the Caudebecçaise population.

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