Beauvais - Maladrerie Saint-Lazare

The "Maladrerie Saint-Lazare" is a former large leprosy station, existing about 2kms out of Beauvais´ center since the 12th century.

The oldest document about the Maladrerie dates from 1131. Other than "hopitals" for sick people and pilgrims, this was a place, where only lepers were cared for. Well, care had probably a very different meaning in those times, as once here, the lepers could not leave the walled area around Maladrerie - lifelong. They got food, clothes - and maybe an occasional bath, as there was no cure.

At the French Revolution the buildings and the land of the Maladrerie Saint-Lazare were sold as national property - and used as a large farm. Meanwhile most of the buildings are well restored and the 3 hectares-compound is a museum, while the largest building serves for cultural events.