Medicine and Charity: Hotels-Dieu from the Middle Ages to New France
October 15th, 2025 to September 13th, 2026
A vibrant celebration of French and Quebec hospital heritage through exceptional collections
Hôtels-Dieu hospitals have stood the test of time and are now recognized as true pioneers in patient care in Western societies. The international exhibition Medicine and Charity explores the legacy of these hospitals, founded in the Middle Ages, through the exceptional collections of four French Hôtels-Dieu: the Hôtel-Dieu de Tonnerre, the Hospices de Beaune, the Hôtel-Dieu de Chalon-sur-Saône, and the Hôtel-Dieu de Baugé, as well as Quebec's Hôtels-Dieu.
Stained glass windows, sculptures, paintings, furniture, tapestries, everyday objects related to patient care, and archives will allow visitors to discover the extraordinary richness of French hospital heritage, as well as that of Quebec, mainly through the collections of the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal and the Monastère des Augustines de Québec. The establishment of Hôtel-Dieu hospitals in New France in the 17th century is part of this long institutional tradition.
Never-before-seen works
The exhibition presents nearly a hundred exceptional works and archives from France, classified as cultural property, which have never been exhibited in Canada. Among these artifacts is the Burgundian sculptural masterpiece La Vierge et l’Enfant, known as Vierge à l’encrier (Chalon-sur-Saône), an exceptional piece attributed to Antoine Le Moiturier and created at the end of the 15th century.
Enrich your experience
Guided tour
Every third Thursday of the month during Museum Evenings, enjoy a guided tour of the Medicine and Charity exhibition. The activity begins at 6 pm and is open to all.
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: The tour is free for visitors with an admission ticket. However, places are limited.
Family Saturdays｜Search and find
Every last Saturday of the month, enjoy an activity suitable for all ages.
Plan a group visit
Groups of 8 or more can book a guided tour on the date of their choice. These tours will allow your group to connect with both the past and the present by addressing historical and societal issues. It is possible to combine a visit to the permanent exhibition with a visit to the temporary exhibition or with a tour.Credits and curator
An exhibition by the Musée des Hospitalières, curated by Paul Labonne, historian, museum professional and general director of the museum.
This project is supported by the Société des Attractions Touristiques du Québec through the Tourism Growth Program of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. The Musée des Hospitalières also thanks the City of Montreal, the Government of Quebec, and the Hospitalières de Saint-Joseph.
