Hôpital militaire Scrive, ancien collège des Jésuites

Gazing upon the Hôpital militaire Scrive, can you sense the echoes of its past lives? This remarkable building, once a Jesuit college, then a military hospital, now houses the administrative services of the Nord prefecture. Hôpital militaire Scrive began its journey in 1606 as a Jesuit college. Built along a subterranean canal, the Jesuits later covered it in 1714, seeking tranquility and better sanitation. A devastating fire in 1740 destroyed two-thirds of the structure, requiring twenty years of reconstruction. In 1762, Louis XV expelled the Jesuits, leaving the college abandoned. Then, in 1781, King Louis XVI transformed the former college into a military hospital. Architect Gombert led extensive renovations, adding extensions and raising the building’s height to accommodate medical and surgical instruction. This military hospital played a critical role in serving Lille’s substantial military garrison, offering a dedicated space for wounded soldiers, unlike the previous reliance on general hospitals. In 1914, the hospital was renamed after Gaspard-Léonard Scrive, a Lille-born medical instructor. Hôpital militaire Scrive served its purpose until 1998 when it closed its doors. The Ministry of the Interior then acquired the building, transforming it into the administrative hub we see today. The 2004 renovations revealed hidden treasures. The Jesuit canal and its water gate, concealed since 1713, were unearthed beneath the former college, adding another layer to this building’s rich narrative. The blend of old and new is striking. Traditional brick and stone meet contemporary glass and metal. Traces of the old city walls, a monumental double-revolution staircase, and an elliptical chapel are remnants of the past, seamlessly woven into the fabric of the present. This unique staircase, built after a fire in 1794, features two spiraling staircases that ascend without ever meeting. This allowed efficient movement within the hospital without individuals on separate staircases ever encountering each other. The Hôpital militaire Scrive stands as a testament to Lille’s resilience. It has adapted to the changing needs of the city. From education to healing to administration, each chapter is etched into its walls.