Hospices de Beaune

The Hospices de Beaune, also known as the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune, is a former charitable almshouse in Beaune, France. It was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, as a hospital for the poor. The original hospital building, the Hôtel-Dieu, is now a museum, while patient services are provided in modern hospital buildings.

The Hôtel-Dieu was founded during a time of turmoil, with the Hundred Years' War recently ended and marauding bands causing destruction and famine. Nicolas Rolin and his wife Guigone de Salins responded to the destitution and plague in Beaune by building a hospital and refuge for the poor. The hospice was consecrated in 1452, and Rolin established the religious order "Les sœurs hospitalières de Beaune" in conjunction with it.

The design of the Hôtel-Dieu was overseen by Flemish architect Jacques Wiscrère and remained a hospital until 1971. The building is considered a superior example of Northern Renaissance civic architecture and features numerous portraits of Rolin and his family. The Hospices de Beaune consists of two-storied buildings arranged around a stone courtyard, with well-preserved wings containing half-timber galleries and ornate rooftops. The hospital served various functions, with the nuns and patients housed closer to the chapel.

Since its founding, the Hospices de Beaune has provided care and refuge to elderly, disabled, sick, and destitute individuals, as well as orphans and women about to give birth. It has received continuous support and donations from grateful families and benefactors, including farms, property, woods, works of art, and vineyards. The institution is a significant example of historical, philanthropic, and wine-producing heritage, and has become intertwined with the economic and cultural life of Burgundy.

The interior of the Hôtel-Dieu features a range of historical artifacts and artworks, including panel paintings depicting Rolin, his wife, and his extended family. The building wings served different functions, such as offices, kitchens, and an apothecary, while the nuns and patients were housed closer to the chapel. The Hospices de Beaune has remained dedicated to healing both the body and spirit of its patients throughout its long history.