The Hôtel-Dieu

HÔTEL DIEU, FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO TODAY

Hôtel Dieu is a generic term from the Middle Ages to refer to the main hospital of the city. These were charitable establishments generally located near the cathedral and managed by the Bishop. They welcomed all the destitute, the unfortunate, the elderly, and the sick. In Marseille, this was no exception.

Its origins thus date back to the Middle Ages, after the 2nd Crusade, which marked the defeat of the French armies, and many war wounded were discharged in Marseille. In 1166, the opening of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, located in the Accoules district, opened its doors to numerous patients and needy people, but also to abandoned children. You can still see the remains of a chapel dating back to the 12th century. You can admire its mosaic floor from the ground floor of the Hôtel Dieu. In 1593, the hospitals of Saint-Jacques de Galice and Saint-Esprit merged under the name of Hôtel Dieu.

Hôtel Dieu Throughout History

This monument of Marseille is built on the same site as the old Hospital of the Holy Spirit. In the 17th century, it stood out from other hospitals due to its secular staff. Hôtel Dieu closed its doors with the arrival of the Great Plague of 1720 and was not reopened until 1722.

To address the lack of space and to accommodate the growth of Marseille's population, it was expanded many times. In fact, the city's population grew from 15,000 inhabitants in the 12th century to over 100,000 during the French Revolution. For this reason, in 1753, 26 surrounding houses were purchased to allow for an expansion of the building. The architectural structure of the building remained as it was when it was constructed in 1753 according to the plans of the architect Jacques Hardouin Mansart. However, it was enlarged and redesigned in 1860/66 by the architect of the Marseille hospitals. These renovations mainly consisted of enlargements. Thus, the whole building was raised by one floor and pavilions were erected at the ends of the two wings. Above all, it cleared the surroundings of the slums that cluttered the entrances. The grand monumental staircases date back to 1782 and were designed by the architect Brun. The main facade as well as the staircases are listed in the inventory of historical monuments. During the Revolution, the Law of July 11, 1794 imposed the seizure of charitable establishments and nationalized their assets. Thus, the municipality of Marseille took over to ensure the survival of Hôtel Dieu.

From 1860 to 1866, the hospital was renovated by the architect of the Marseille hospitals, Félix Blanchet. Napoleon III inaugurated the new Hôtel Dieu on November 15, 1866, the day of the celebration of Empress Eugénie.

Hôtel Dieu Today

However, despite this, the regular increase in the population of Marseille eventually made the establishment too cramped. But it was not until 1993 that the last patients left Hôtel Dieu, which became a university hospital. It finally closed its doors permanently in 2006.

It was bought by the city of Marseille a year later before being leased for 99 years to the AXA Real Estate Group. After 3 years of work, the Hôtel Dieu was transformed into a five-star hotel and officially opened its doors in June 2013 under the name of Hôtel Intercontinental.

Listed in the inventory of Historical Monuments in 1963, you can admire this building from Marseille's history in the Old Port district, in the 1st arrondissement. You can contemplate the magnificent view of the Basilique Notre Dame de La Garde. At night, the facade of the building is illuminated from 9:30 pm. The lights add to the majestic atmosphere emanating from the building. Visiting Marseille requires a visit to this imposing building.