The Hôtel-Dieu of Lyon, in the Rhône, is located in the historic center of the city, on the peninsula formed by the river. It borders the "west" bank of the Rhône, within the district of Bellecour.
Near the first large bridge built in 1185, it was originally a small hospital run by monks (12th century).
In the 15th century, the establishment passed into the hands of the Lyon consuls and was enlarged in the 16th century. Among the doctors assigned there during this period was the famous writer François Rabelais.
It was however in the 17th century that the construction of the current buildings was undertaken according to a cross plan (called "the Four Rows") to which are attached the annexes along the main street of the Hospital, and a chapel of baroque style adorned with two elegant monumental bell towers.
In the 18th century, work began on the monumental wing designed by the architect Soufflot (1713-1780) which overlooks the Rhône and which will be completed in the 19th century. It includes a large dome with the function of renewing the air and evacuating the miasmas and walkways inside the courtyards.
Benefiting from a national reputation due to the high quality of the care provided and the talent of the practitioners who practice there, the Hôtel-Dieu had at its peak several tens of thousands of m² dedicated to care and housed the museum of Civil hospices from 1935.
However, the site as a whole underwent a new transformation at the beginning of the 21st century. The hospital was closed in 2010 and after work that nevertheless preserved the essentials of the architecture, a vast complex was developed which opened its doors in 2018, including hotels, shops, but also the Illusion Museum and the International City. gastronomy.
The ensemble remains protected as historical monuments.
The complex is open every day. Gourmet tours are offered on the second Tuesday of the month (reservation on +33 6 14 50 52 81) and guided tours focusing on the history and architecture of the site are offered by the tourist office. Inquire at +33 4 72 77 69 69.
