The Monument
The Hôtel-Dieu building was an initiative by Malachie d’Inguimbert; its construction began in 1750 with his funding and was completed in 1769.
At that time, it was a charitable organisation intended to help the sick and needy. The building was therefore a way to provide health care using modern knowledge in the medical field.
With this in mind, the architect Antoine d’Alleman designed a monument with a checkered pattern, in which each section of the building, spread out around courtyards and gardens, fulfilled a specific role. The two-storey southern wing was intended to welcome patients, while the northern wing was reserved for administrative personnel and the carers, doctors, surgeons, pharmacists, and sister nurses that kept the hospital running. Patient rooms were very spacious and well-lit through tall windows, which reflected the 18th century need to ‘purify’ the air by way of light and ventilation in order to chase out the ‘miasma’ that was thought to propagate disease through the air.
A vast gallery was constructed to allow movement between the different specific areas and floors, particularly by way of its monumental staircase, which was a true feat of stonecutting and laying.
The Hôtel-Dieu welcomed its first patients in 1761 and continued to serve as a hospital and retirement home until 2002.
With the entire building being classed as a Historic Monument in 1862
The Hôtel-Dieu is the second-largest building in the Vaucluse region to be recognised as such, after the Palais des Papes. The chapel, the sweeping staircase, the ‘Hall des Donatifs’ and the apothecary (opening in 2026) are the most remarkable of its historic areas.
1750
Construction started on the Hôtel-Dieu
The first stone was lain at the initiative of Bishop Malachie d’Inguimbert. Intended to help the poor and sick, it went on to open in 1761.
1862
The Hôtel-Dieu was classed as a Historic Monument
Photo of the sign on the wall with directions to the areas of the former hospital.
2002
The Hôtel-Dieu stopped being a hospital
The hospital within the Hôtel-Dieu moved to a new site on the outskirts of Carpentras in 2002. This was also the year in which the Inguimbertine’s museum collection was awarded the label “Musée de France” by virtue of the French Law of 4 January 2002 governing the status of museums in France.
2009
The Inguimbertine project was created.
The City of Carpentras launched the project to transfer the Inguimbertine to the Hôtel-Dieu, with the unique concept of the library museum at the heart of the project.
2014
Construction works started at the Hôtel-Dieu
From 2014 to 2017, heavy construction work was undertaken to renovate and refurbish the building with a view to housing the library museum and the multimedia library.
2017
The multimedia library opened
Following several years of renovation works and library collection transfers, the multimedia library finally opened its doors to the public on 4 November 2017.
2024
The library museum opened
On 20 April 2024, the Inguimbertine project was finally completed at the Hôtel-Dieu. Following the reorganisation and restoration works, the museum collection of 800 pieces is now on display for the public in an area spanning 1000 m2.