Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse

About the museum

The hospice was founded in 1237 by Countess Jeanne of Flanders, within the grounds of her palace in Lille. Augustinian sisters cared there for the poor, the sick and travellers; the institution took the name Hôpital Comtesse in 1245. A fire destroyed much of the buildings in 1468; they were rebuilt over the following decades. A second fire in 1649 led to new works, and a final wing, in a more classical style, was completed in 1724.

The nuns left the site in 1793. In the 19th century the former hospital took in elderly people and orphans; it ceased to function as a hospice in 1940. After the Second World War it was restored, and the City of Lille took over its management. The museum opened on December 14, 1962; it now holds the Musée de France label.

The museum presents the art and history of the city through a range of objects from the 16th to the 20th century: furniture, paintings, textiles, ceramics, drawings, prints, photographs and musical instruments. Visitors also discover the living quarters of the nuns and a small garden where they grew medicinal plants. The Coronelli globes, recently restored, are among the notable pieces. Not all the collections are on permanent display.

Highlights

• Buildings of a medieval hospital founded in 1237
• Living quarters of the Augustinian sisters and a small garden of medicinal plants
• Restored Coronelli globes
• 18th-century tapestries from the Werniers manufactory
• Ceramics and faience from Lille
• Photographs, drawings and prints on the history of the city

Permanent exhibition

• Collections d'art et d'histoire de Lille – Art and history objects from the 16th to the 20th century in the buildings of the former hospital, with the nuns' living quarters and a medicinal plant garden.

Founded

1962

Operated by

Ville de Lille

Visitors per year

approx. 54,754

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of each month for everyone; every Sunday for residents of Lille, Lomme and Hellemmes (Pass Lille&Moi or proof of address)

Also free, with proof, for 18- to 25-year-olds living in Lille, Lomme or Hellemmes, job seekers, recipients of minimum-income benefits, holders of the Pass C'ART, the City Pass or the Amis des Musées card of the metropolitan area, teachers and students in artistic, cultural and heritage courses, tour guides, and holders of a press card, an ICOM card or a Ministry of Culture card. Online ticketing is temporarily unavailable; tickets are bought at the counter.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The museum has ramps or footbridges and a lift between the exhibition rooms. A wheelchair is lent at the ticket desk, and seat-canes are available in each permanent gallery, along with a portable induction loop and a guide in Braille and large print. An easy-read booklet is available on request. An itinerary adapted to people with reduced mobility is offered at the ticket desk; the presence of a companion is strongly recommended for wheelchair users. Group tours interpreted in French Sign Language are offered for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The museum offers animated tours and discovery trails for children and families, as well as activities during school holidays. Strollers are allowed in the main courtyard but not in the galleries; they must be left at the entrance, so a baby carrier is recommended.

Getting there & parking

V'Lille bike-share stations are about 100 metres away (Notre-Dame de la Treille, Place du Concert, Place Louise de Bettignies), and bike racks are installed in the main courtyard.

Amenities & dining

The museum pages consulted do not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit