The 12th-century hospital

Maladrerie Saint-Lazare, situated in Beauvais in the Oise department, may seem unassuming, but its history covers centuries of power struggles, privilege, and mystery. This leper house is the only surviving example of eleven medieval hospitals built in the diocese. What makes this site so unique is its double life: in one, it was a religious institution providing care and shelter to lepers, and, on the other hand, it was one of the principal landowners in Beauvais, thanks to numerous donations and legacies.

The hospital's foundations can be traced back to the 12th century. The first known act regarding Maladrerie Saint-Lazare in Beauvais is a donation of a house from a Beauvais bourgeois to the church of Saint-Lazare in 1131. While this document does not signify that a leper house existed as such around the church, it suggests that a community of lepers was organized at this period at the instigation of the bishop of Beauvais.

The institution quickly acquired privileges such as exemptions from taxes and the right for the master to exercise justice on his lands. The administration of the hospital was often a point of contention. The prestige of the role was such that in modern times, power struggles around the administration of the leper house multiplied. The wealth of the institution, along with the important privileges conferred on the master, stoked greed. Religious authorities, municipal, and royal authorities disputed the right to name the master. For instance, a lawsuit lasting nearly 100 years opened in 1472 between the Grand Almoner of France, the bishops of Beauvais, and the representatives of the municipality of Beauvais.

According to J. Edelmann, there were about fifteen lepers permanently at Maladrerie Saint-Lazare. These individuals belonged to all social categories: nobles, clergy, bourgeoisie, laborers, or domestic staff. In 1629, the Three Bodies of Beauvais created the bureau of the poor, to which Maladrerie Saint-Lazare was attached. From this point, its functions changed significantly, as it was no longer exclusively intended to house contagious больных but also the indigent and marginalized people who were sought to be moved away from the city walls.

During the Revolution, Maladrerie Saint-Lazare was sold as national property and became an agricultural operation. This new use ultimately saved it from destruction; while many religious buildings served as stone quarries after the Revolution, the buildings of Maladrerie Saint-Lazare generally found a new purpose, such as large openings being pierced in the chapel to serve as hangars for agricultural equipment. Throughout the 19th century, the site served as a farm and new buildings were erected. During this time, it remained a place of interest for curious people and architectural specialists, notably Dr. Eugène Woillez, who published a work whose impact led to a first classification as a Monument Historique in 1862. However, due to a lack of restoration work, the owners obtained declassification in 1888.

In the 20th century, the buildings served various purposes, including acting as warehouses for several companies. During World War I, the leper house served as a cantonment for different army corps. The site was spared from the bombings that destroyed 80% of the city during World War II, though it was not unscathed; in 1939, following heavy rains, the bell tower of the chapel collapsed, followed a few years later by the choir. This event marked the beginning of a realization regarding the need to preserve the buildings. Consolidation work was undertaken, and in the 1970s and 80s, the roof of the barn was fully restored, the chapel bell tower was reconstructed, and a propping floor was installed inside the logis.

Today, the site is a cultural and tourist center open all year round. The chapel of Saint-Lazare, the oldest building on the site, is a remarkable testament to Romanesque architecture in the region. Its decor of great sobriety and its very clean lines are characteristic of the Romanesque style of the 12th century.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons