Maison-Blanche, Psychiatric hospital in Neuilly-sur-Marne, France.
Maison-Blanche is a psychiatric hospital in Neuilly-sur-Marne on the edge of Paris, consisting of several pavilions spread across extensive grounds with gardens. The buildings follow a grand château style from the late 19th century and define the character of the complex.
The facility opened in 1900 and began as a women-only institution before becoming a mixed-gender hospital over time. During World War II it also served military purposes and experienced hardship under German occupation.
The name comes from the white facade that distinguished it from other institutions and reflected an idea of creating a brighter environment for patients. Visitors can still see how the light-colored architecture conveys a less oppressive feeling than comparable facilities from that era.
The grounds are very expansive and are best explored on foot, with the gardens and sprawling layout taking time to navigate. The best time to visit is during daylight hours when the buildings are visible in good light and the grounds feel more open.
The grounds house lesser-known art collections and historical archives that document the evolution of psychiatry in France. These collections offer insight into medical practices and patient experiences that often go unnoticed when visitors walk through the site.
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