Visit Apothicairerie de Saint-Amour
Thematic Museum
Gratuit avec le The Burgundy-Franche-Comté Pass
The apothecary of Saint-Amour has an amazing décor and a treasure trove in a 17th century convent that became a hospital in the 19th century.
Established outside the city walls in 1620, the Capuchin convent housed the monks until 1792.
Between 1819 and 1824, a hospital was built in this former convent. The apothecary, the forerunner of our pharmacies, moved into the monks' refectory.
This hospital, a large-scale establishment at the time, welcomed patients for more than 100 years. Today, this building, well preserved and carefully restored, has become a health centre. You can still see the original sickrooms and the chapel.
The apothecary remains as it was in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is certainly one of the largest apothecaries in the Jura and even in Franche-Comté.
It has a magnificent woodwork decoration made by a cabinetmaker from Saint-Amour, trompe l'oeil decorations, a medallion decorated with flowers and medicinal plants, and a floor made of Saint-Amour marble...
During a guided tour, discover this surprising place: its herbalist's furniture and its collection of more than 300 pots from different periods (16th, 17th and 19th century) including two mysterious pots from the 16th century.
Theriac jars, goatskin jars, pillboxes, cannon jars, glass jars, measuring instruments and instruments for preparing remedies... You will be able to observe a wide variety of containers and understand their uses.
The small room, where patients were received, contains furniture dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, including a remarkable herbalist's cabinet and an important collection of pewter tableware.
Immerse yourself in the history of the hospitals of Saint-Amour and the functioning of an apothecary.
Guided tours are offered throughout the year.
For groups, visits are possible on reservation.
Activities (readings, workshops, etc.) are organised.
New: passes to discover the royal prisons, the Caborde and the Chevreaux castle. Please contact the Tourist Office for more information.
Contact
https://tourisme-portedujura.fr
03 84 48 76 69
Apothicairerie de Saint-Amour
The apothecary at Saint-Amour has an astonishing décor in a 17th-century convent that became a hospital in the 19th century.
Built between 1819 and 1824 in the former 17th-century Capuchin convent, this hospital was a major establishment at the time, caring for the sick for over 100 years. Today, this well-preserved and carefully restored building has become a Maison de Santé. The original wards and chapel can still be seen.
The apothecary of this former hospital, the forerunner of our pharmacies, is certainly one of the most spacious in the Jura and even in Franche-Comté.
The main room, known as the preparatory room, features magnificent wood panelling created by a cabinetmaker from Saint-Amour, as well as trompe-l'œil decorations, a medallion decorated with flowers and medicinal plants and a floor made of local marble.
During a guided tour, you will discover a surprising place: its herbalist's furniture and its collection of over 300 jars from different periods from the 16th to the 19th centuries, including two mysterious jars from the 16th century. You'll be able to see a wide variety of containers and understand how they were used, including theriac jars, cherry jars, pillboxes, cannon jars, glass jars, measuring instruments and instruments for preparing remedies.
Immerse yourself in the hospital history of the town of Saint-Amour, marked by a hospital tradition stretching back almost 1,000 years, since the first place to receive the sick dates back to the 11th century!
Guided tours are available throughout the year (during the school holidays and in May, June and September) by prior arrangement.
Group tours are available by prior arrangement.
For school groups, tours and workshops are available by prior arrangement.
Events (readings, workshops, etc.) are organised from time to time.
A pass is available to visit the apothecary and the Royal Prisons.
Hours :
Guided tours : - in July and August, - during school holidays: All Saints' Day, Christmas, Winter, Easter- occasionally in May, June and September. For the 2024 /2025 Christmas holidays: Guided tours on Friday afternoons 27/12 and 03/01 : 2.30pm The Royal Prisons4pm The Apothecary'sGuided tours must be booked in advance. For groups of 10 or more, the Tourist Office offers guided tours by prior arrangement all year round.