Hospice Saint-Michel, Historical hospital in 12th arrondissement, Paris, France.
The Hospice Saint-Michel is a hospital building featuring a U-shaped layout with a central structure and two perpendicular wings displaying neoclassical architectural details. The facility combines practical design elements typical of 19th-century medical and social institutions.
Michel-Jacques Boulard, a former upholsterer to Napoleon I, donated his fortune in 1825 for this building's construction, which opened in 1830 to provide shelter and care. The project emerged from one man's desire to support elderly residents.
The central chapel preserves the founder's bust and heart, while inscriptions on the building reflect the original purpose of caring for elderly men. These elements reveal the personal connection between the benefactor and the place he created.
The building is located at 35 Avenue Courteline and now serves as headquarters for social services providing support to people in difficult situations. Visitors should know it remains an active facility primarily used by professionals.
The founder specified in his will that residents should receive a special poultry dish each year on December 1st, his birthday. This unusual provision reflects how personal his legacy was to the institution.
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