Laennec Hospital building complex, Former hospital complex in 7th arrondissement, France.
Laënnec Hospital complex is a former hospital in the 7th arrondissement featuring eight courtyards with wells and stone buildings arranged in a cross pattern. Extensive gardens spread throughout the grounds, creating green spaces within the urban setting.
The facility was founded in 1634 through donations from Cardinal de la Rochefoucauld to serve patients with incurable conditions. Architect Christophe Gamard designed the original layout of this medical institution.
The name honors René Laënnec, the French physician who transformed medicine by inventing the stethoscope in 1878. Visitors walking through the courtyards today experience spaces shaped by centuries of medical care and innovation.
The site underwent major renovation from 2010 to 2016 and now houses the headquarters of Kering and Balenciaga at 40 rue de Sèvres. Parts of the grounds are accessible to visitors, though it is wise to check current visiting conditions beforehand.
During renovation works, construction teams discovered previously unknown rooms and architectural features hidden beneath layers of historical modifications. These hidden structures reveal how the complex evolved over centuries of continuous change.
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