Old Military Hospital | Saint Louis

Old Military Hospital - View Large Image

Information
Landmark: Old Military Hospital
City: Saint Louis
Country: Senegal
Continent: Africa

Old Military Hospital, Saint Louis, Senegal, Africa

The Old Military Hospital, currently known as the ESPACE VAN GOGH, is a former medical complex located in the center of Arles, France. It is internationally recognized as the site where painter Vincent van Gogh was hospitalized in 1888 and 1889, serving as the direct inspiration for several of his works.

Visual Characteristics

The complex is a classic two-story Provençal structure built around a large rectangular central courtyard. The building features a yellow-washed facade, red-tiled roofing, and a series of arched administrative galleries known as the "cloisters." The central garden is a formal arrangement of colorful flower beds, manicured hedges, and a central fountain, meticulously reconstructed to match the layout and floral varieties depicted in Van Gogh's 1889 painting, Le Jardin de l'Hôtel de Dieu.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located on Place Félix Rey in the historic center of Arles. It is approximately 0.5km southwest of the Arles Amphitheatre. As the area is a pedestrian-heavy zone with narrow streets, access is best on foot from the nearby Boulevard des Lices, where several public parking lots are located. The Arles train station is a 15-minute walk to the north. Local bus lines (Navia A) stop within 200 meters of the main entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The building was originally constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries to serve as the city's primary hospital, the Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Esprit. It functioned as a military and civilian medical facility for over three centuries until a new hospital was built on the outskirts of the city in the 1970s. Following its decommissioning, the site was converted into a cultural and university center, preserving the original stone masonry and courtyard dimensions.

Key Highlights & Activities

The main courtyard is open to the public for viewing the "Van Gogh Garden" reconstruction. The upper floors house the municipal library, the city archives, and the College of International Literary Translators (ATLAS). Visitors can browse a specialized boutique dedicated to Van Gogh's Arles period or attend rotating contemporary art exhibitions in the vaulted gallery spaces.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The facility functions as a public cultural hub with modern restrooms located on the ground floor. The courtyard offers significant shaded areas under the perimeter arches and peripheral trees. 4G/5G cellular signals are robust throughout the complex. While the Espace itself does not have a full restaurant, several cafes and bakeries are located directly on the surrounding Place Félix Rey.

Best Time to Visit

The garden is best viewed from late spring to early summer (May to June) when the floral displays are in full bloom and match the vibrant colors of the artist's palette. For photography, mid-morning provides balanced light across the yellow facades without the harsh shadows of the midday sun. The courtyard is generally open daily from 08:00 to 19:00, though interior library hours vary.

Facts & Legends

A historical oddity is that Van Gogh was admitted here twice: once after the famous incident involving his ear, and later for continued psychological treatment. A local "secret" is that the second-floor balcony offers a perspective that aligns almost perfectly with the vantage point Van Gogh used to sketch the courtyard, allowing visitors to see the architecture exactly as he composed it.