2 weeks in France-5-26 to 6/8/2022

2 Days in Troyes, France-6/5/2022 to 6/6/2022

Day 2-Jardin des plantes Medicinales (medicinal Plants garden)-6/6/2022

The garden of Medicinal plants garden is located in the courtyard of the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte (general hospital), Troyes hospital between the 12th and 19th centuries. It is considered one of the most beautiful and most modern hospitals in France in 1781.  The Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte now houses The Cite du Vitrail and the Museum of Apothecary.

The Hôtel-Dieu remained in operation until 1988, but was listed as a historic monument as far back as 1885.

The magnificent Louis XV gate made in 1760 by Pierre Delphin and listed as a historic monument. Among the superb gold arabesques, there are escutcheons bearing the coats of arms of France and the city of Troyes under the crown of the Counts and notable donors of the 18th century..

This building was built in the 12th century by Count Henry (1125-1181), it was also known by the name of Maison-Dieu-Saint-Étienne because it was located near the Saint-Étienne collegiate church and the chapel of the Counts of Champagne, which was built on the site of the current place du Préau. Unfortunately, this exceptional group of 12th century buildings was demolished to make way for the construction of the Upper Seine Canal in 1806.

The Hôtel-Dieu, rebuilt in the 18th century and then renovated and enlarged several times, was one of the largest hospital of France.

The hospital took in the poor, the blind, mutilated children, and women after they have given birth until they are relieved. The reception was extended to all populations in the 16th century and remained a place of medicine until 1988.

The grand main courtyard, surrounded on three sides by buildings with beautiful classic façades.

The garden of medicinal plants is the typical garden of the Middle Ages. 

This useful space was responsible for producing medicinal plants and using it to care for the rich and the poor of the parish.

About 80 species of medicinal plants are presented (nettle, clary sage, noble laurel, alkékenge, vine, pulmonary, chervis...)..

The garden of medicinal plants of Troyes is the 5th and last medieval garden created by the city of Troyes in 2009. It offers its visitors, in a temporary way, a particularly faithful overview of the appearance of the Herbularium gardens that were in use in the Middle Ages.

Considered magical plants because of their healing properties, medicinal plants were traditionally cultivated within the walls of monasteries, abbeys, hospitals and clinics.

The garden is very Zen and relaxing.

View of the exit gate from the garden.

Lavenders and many other plants.

Bees flying around the lavender flowers.

NEXT.... Day 2- Lunch in the old town