HOTEL-DIEU

hotel-dieu, the name given to the principal hospital in any french town. the hotel-dieu in paris was founded in the year a.d. 660, has been extended at various times, and was entirely rebuilt between 1868-1878. one of the most ancient in france is at angers, dating from 1153. the hotel-dieu of beaune (cote-d'or), founded 1443, is one of the most interesting, as it retains the picturesque disposition of its courtyard, with covered galleries on two storeys and large dormer windows; and the great hall of the hotel-dieu at tonnerre, yonne (1338), nearly 60 ft. wide and over 300 ft. long, is still preserved as part of the chief hospital of the town.