Sanatorium de Dreux, Art Deco sanatorium in Dreux, France
Sanatorium de Dreux is a collection of Art Deco buildings spread across a large site using reinforced concrete construction. The complex includes several separate pavilions arranged to create a dispersed layout that was typical of health facilities from that period.
The complex was built between 1931 and 1958 on the initiative of Mayor Maurice Viollette. It evolved from a tuberculosis facility to a cardiology center, reflecting changes in medical treatment and public health priorities.
The complex represents French medical advancement through its pavilion system, where each building served specific healthcare purposes within the treatment program.
The site has been abandoned since 1978, with only two buildings remaining in use for a children's center and medical archives. Visitors should check current conditions before visiting and be aware of the site's deteriorating state.
The horizontal spread of the buildings followed Art Deco principles that set it apart from other French sanatoriums of the era. This unusual design approach made it a notable example of how medical architecture evolved during that period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
