Hôpital Richaud, Historic hospital and monument in central Versailles, France.
Hôpital Richaud is a former royal hospital in Versailles whose pale stone gateway carries a large central archway, four round columns with simple capitals on low square bases, and a dark panel inscribed "HOPITAL CIVIL" beneath a triangular pediment with a carved coat of arms and foliage. The arch opens onto an interior passage with a hanging lantern; plaques marked 50 and 52 flank it. The complex, renamed Carré des Siècles, now holds housing, shops and offices.
The site originated in 1636 as Maison de la charité under Louis XIII, with the hospital buildings constructed from 1781 to 1859 by architect Charles François Darnaudin. The extended construction period over nearly 80 years shaped the final form of the complex.
The deconsecrated chapel, now Espace Richaud, belongs to the city of Versailles and hosts exhibitions and theatre. Its best-attended show was devoted to Le Petit Prince; in 2022 it presented "Molière, la fabrique d'une gloire nationale (1622-2022)" and in 2025 "Zola photographe". Plays are staged there during the Mois Molière festival.
Two underground car parks flank the building: Reine-Richaud under boulevard de la Reine, entered from rue du Maréchal-Foch, and another under place du marché Notre-Dame. Both have spaces for people with reduced mobility. The gardens and the pedestrian and cycle routes crossing the complex are open to the public during the day.
The 2009 sale to developer OGIC drew criticism: Henry de Lesquen accused mayor François de Mazières of wasting public money ahead of the 2014 municipal elections. The apartments sold out in a single weekend. The chapel, now Espace Richaud, remains city property and hosted a Petit Prince exhibition.
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