Hôpital de la marine

Hôpital de la marine is a military medical complex in Rochefort with a central building and four connected pavilions arranged in an H-shaped layout. The facility was designed to separate different patient groups and functions within a unified architectural plan.

Construction began in 1782 under architect Pierre Toufaire, and it opened in 1788 as France's first hospital with a pavilion system design. This layout became a model for medical architecture across Europe and influenced how hospitals were built for decades.

The central chapel has an octagonal dome and a circular gallery where patients could watch services from the second floor, showing how the building accommodated spiritual needs alongside medical care.

The complex is currently undergoing renovation to convert sections into residential units, so visitor access may be limited in certain areas. It is best to check ahead about which parts are open and plan your visit accordingly to see the most interesting historical sections.

The southwest pavilion housed the world's first naval medical school, which trained doctors and surgeons specifically for maritime service from its opening until 1964. This pioneering institution made the complex a place of medical learning that extended far beyond France's borders.