Former Hôtel Dieu

It’s no surprise that the rue de l’ancien hôpital leads you right to the entrance of the former Hôtel-Dieu. This hospice, dedicated to caring for the poorest of the poor, was commissioned by Maurice de Nassau, son of William I of Orange. Here’s a fun fact, completely unrelated to Orange: the island of Mauritius is named after him! This paradise island remained uninhabited for a long time before Dutch colonists arrived and named the place after their prince. The hospice was originally located by the moat of the old Pourtoules bastion. However, after the plague of the 1720s, the decision was made to fill in the ditch and drain the smelly river that flowed through it. It was common practice to fill in moats around towns after epidemics, to improve hygiene and sanitary conditions. This helped prevent the spread of diseases, eliminate mosquitoes and stop the proliferation of rats. Orange took advantage of this redevelopment to create a promenade lined with plane trees along the drained land. This is where the Wetter brothers’ factory would later set up, producing the “indiennes de coton”, that is, cotton fabrics with Indian patterns; the factory would create many jobs and boost the city’s economy. But back to the former Hôtel-Dieu of Orange. This 17th-century building is now undergoing an ambitious renovation project to become the city’s new archive center. Once completed, you’ll find both temporary and permanent exhibition halls here, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Orange.