Part of a Series on Vincentian Heritage Places

Bicêtre

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“Louise also founded, with Vincent de Paul, the “Work for Foundlings” in 1638, which was later established in the Château de Bicêtre.” (Source: Website of Saint Nicolas des Champs Church)

BICETRE
This old chateau, built under Louis XIII to house sick and wounded soldiers, had fallen into disuse when the Ladies of Charity of Paris had the idea of placing the foundlings here. After some four years of discussion, and against the wishes of Louise de Marillac. the transfer of the orphaned boys and girls to Bicêtre took place in 1647. Saint Louise believed it too far south of Paris. too dangerous to reach (because of the vagabonds and old soldiers), and too difficult to support financially. Nevertheless, she visited the hospice often and organized its works. Eventually Vincent wanted to find other solutions for the Daughters of Charity who worked here, and a return to the city took place in 1649. In 1656-1657, the chateau of Bicêtre became part of the General Hospital of Paris. Its new role was to lock up those homeless beggars who could not otherwise find useful employment. Vincent de Paul did not support the concept, at least in this form. At the Revolution, 166 inmates were slaughtered in the courtyard as part of the September massacres (4 September 1792). Today, a large hospital occupies the same property in the town called Le Kremlin Bicêtre, but nothing remains of the original chateau. (Source: In the Footsteps of Vincent de Paul: A Guide to Vincentian France by John E. Rybolt C.M.)

Hôpital_du_Kremlin-Bicêtre. Main entrance of the Kremlin-Bicêtre hospital.

Bicetre-Hospital as it looks today. Photo: https://rare-liver.eu/about/members-partners/assistance-publique-hopitaux-de-paris-hopital-bicetre/

All Vincentian Places in this Series

Red = Vincent de Paul, Blue = Frederic Ozanam, Teal = Elizabeth Seton, Yellow = Louise de Marillac

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