Charenton asylum, Psychiatric hospital in Saint-Maurice, France
Charenton asylum is a psychiatric hospital in Saint-Maurice with multiple buildings, courtyards, and gardens along the Seine River, designed following 19th-century facility principles. The institution serves several Paris districts and is accessible via the Saint-Maurice metro station.
The institution began in 1645 when the Brothers of Charity established a small hospital following a donation from Sébastien Leblanc, advisor to Louis XIII. It later grew into one of France's leading psychiatric facilities.
The hospital gained recognition under director Abbé de Coulmier, who introduced art therapy methods allowing patients to express themselves through creative activities. This approach shaped how the facility viewed healing and patient care.
The facility is well connected by public transportation and operates specialized psychiatric departments serving multiple areas. Keep in mind that this is an active medical center, so access may be restricted to certain areas and times.
The Marquis de Sade spent his final years from 1801 to 1814 here, where he organized theatrical performances with other patients. These creative activities show how the institution went beyond conventional medical treatment.
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