Hospice Debrousse, Historical hospital in 5th arrondissement, Lyon, France.
Hospice Debrousse is a former hospital in Lyon with five pavilions spread across approximately 4.5 hectares of landscaped grounds and displaying architectural features from the early 1900s. The buildings are connected by maintained exterior spaces that reflect the original functional layout.
Marie-Félicie Dessans founded Hospice Debrousse in 1907 as a care facility for the elderly, but it was converted into a children's hospital by 1920. This shift shows how the facility adapted its purpose to changing medical needs.
The chapel in the central pavilion served as a gathering space for patients and staff until the mid-20th century, showing how faith and medical care were intertwined in French healthcare. This reflects the role that religion held in the daily life of the institution.
The exterior grounds are open to pedestrians, but private gardens, garages, and parking areas are excluded, and access is restricted from Rue Soeur-Bouvier. Visitors should stick to public pathways and respect marked boundaries.
The building preserves original design elements such as polychrome tiled floors in corridors and grand staircases dating from around 1904. These crafted details are often overlooked but offer a direct sense of the construction quality from that era.
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