Museum of the History of Medicine, Medical museum in 6th arrondissement, France
The Museum of the History of Medicine is housed within the Université Paris Descartes and displays surgical instruments, diagnostic tools, and anatomical models from multiple centuries. The collections show how medical practice evolved from simple devices to more sophisticated equipment.
Medical collections were gathered after the French Revolution and formally organized in 1921. The museum later opened its doors to the public in the neoclassical building of the medical school.
The collection reflects what people understood about their bodies and how they tried to heal themselves across different periods. These objects reveal how trust in medicine and science grew stronger over time.
The best time to visit is in the early afternoon when light flows through the tall windows and illuminates the displays. The location is easy to reach by public transport and sits within walking distance of other sites in the area.
The collection includes personal instruments used during an autopsy of a famous French leader, as well as an intricate wooden anatomical model from 1799 featuring hundreds of movable parts for teaching medical students. These rare pieces reveal how doctors once explained and demonstrated anatomy and medical procedures.
Location: 6th arrondissement of Paris
Inception: 1921
Opening Hours: Monday-Wednesday,Friday,Saturday 14:00-17:30
Website: https://u-paris.fr/musee-de-lhistoire-de-la-medecine
GPS coordinates: 48.85132,2.34090
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
The Latin Quarter is one of the oldest parts of Paris and preserves traces from over two thousand years of history. Roman remains like the Arènes de Lutèce recall the ancient settlement of Lutetia, while medieval churches such as Saint-Étienne-du-Mont and Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre document the religious past. The Sorbonne and the Collège de France have made the district a center of learning since the Middle Ages, and institutions like the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève continue this academic tradition. The Musée de l'Histoire de la Médecine traces the development of medicine, the Musée Curie honors the scientific discoveries of Marie and Pierre Curie, and the Musée des Arts du Moyen Âge displays medieval art within the ruins of Roman baths. Narrow streets lead to squares like Place de la Contrescarpe and Place de l'Estrapade, where locals gather in cafés and markets. The Marché de la Rue Mouffetard is one of the city's oldest street markets and offers fresh produce daily. Literary and artistic traces appear at the Maison de Serge Gainsbourg, the historic jazz cellar Le Caveau de la Huchette, and cafés like Le Procope, which has welcomed writers and thinkers since the 17th century. The Jardin des Plantes combines botanical collections with the Musée de Minéralogie, while the Square René-Viviani provides a quiet view of Notre-Dame with its ancient tree. The Grande Mosquée de Paris and the Institut du Monde Arabe add North African and Arab perspectives to the cultural offerings.
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