"Tracing the roots of psychiatry, an exploration of the Charenton Asylum and its 'mad' inhabitants"
In the heart of Val-de-Marne, the Local Archives are laying out an exhibition that takes a deep dive into one of its most prestigious healthcare institutions – the Maison de Charenton. The display promises over 200 historical documents, images, and medical artifacts, delving into the rich history of this revered institution.
Origins trace back to the 17th century, when Sébastien Leblanc, an advisor to Louis XIII and a war controller, bequeathed his estate in Charenton to the Brothers of Charity. Their mission, appointed by the Archbishop of Paris, was to care for the destitute. In 1641, they commenced with just five beds. Soon, this establishment began catering to an unusual clientele – the "insane." These paying patients found affordable accommodation, allowing the institution to generate additional revenue streams. Over time, prisoners, known as "correctionnaires," also found a home within the facility, often at the king's expense through letters of cachet. By 1790, the facility housed 90 beds, swelled to 450 by 1850, and peaked at 576 by 1913.
For a glimpse into the daily life of the institution, patient testimonials serve as our primary source. The world learned that various confinement regimes existed, depending on the patient's riches and behavior. The downtrodden inhabitants were frequently shackled, confined in groups, or left to sleep in overcrowded dormitories. On the other hand, the wealthy patrons enjoyed comfortable cells. And then there was the most renowned resident among them, none other than Sade, who boasted a personal servant during his stay.
The evolution of the Maison de Charenton is an intriguing tale of a small charity hospice transforming into a pioneering psychiatric institution. From a 90-bed facility in the late 1700s to a bustling center accommodating 576 patients by 1913, the institution mirrored the growing demand for mental healthcare services. The meantime, treatment varied drastically based on social class, with the wealthy enjoying superior living conditions and personalized care, while the downtrodden patients often endured life in cramped, unsanitary conditions. Additionally, it housed prisoners, including those incarcerated through letters of cachet. Throughout its history, the Maison de Charenton stood at the nexus of early psychiatric practice and social control.
- The Local Archives exhibition in the heart of Val-de-Marne highlights the transition of the Maison de Charenton, a historic hospice, from a small charity institution in the 17th century to a pioneering mental health facility in 1913.
- In the exhibit, there is evidence of the varied cost of health-and-wellness therapies and treatments at the Maison de Charenton, with the rich receiving superior care and personalized attention, while the poor often suffered in cramped, unsanitary conditions.
- The Maison de Charenton, initially a house for the destitute, expanded its services to accommodate mental health patients and correctionnaires, presenting a unique interplay of mental health treatments and social control.
- The science of mental health evolved at the Maison de Charenton over the centuries, with the institution housing over 576 patients by 1913, demonstrating a growing need for mental health care services.
- The exhibition at the Local Archives showcases the rich history of the Maison de Charenton, including its influential role in mental health care and the development of therapies and treatments for mental health issues.
