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Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine et de la Pharmacie

About

Founded in 1896 by Alexandre Lacassagne, the Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine et de la Pharmacie in Lyon offers a fascinating journey through centuries of medical and pharmaceutical progress. Originally located on the Quai Claude Bernard, the museum moved in 1930 to the Domaine Rockefeller, where it remains today. Its collections highlight the evolution of healing practices, from Mesmer’s 18th‑century baquet to Joseph Gall’s phrenology casts, alongside rare paintings and artifacts that trace humanity’s struggle against disease. Visitors discover how physicians and pharmacists adapted their tools and knowledge over time, gaining insight into both scientific breakthroughs and cultural perceptions of health. More than a cabinet of curiosities, the museum preserves the legacy of medicine as a discipline shaped by innovation, belief, and resilience, making it a unique destination for those interested in the history of science and society.

Lyon France

Location

The Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine et de la Pharmacie in Lyon is located at 8 avenue Rockefeller in the 8th arrondissement, on the Domaine Rockefeller near Lyon’s medical faculty and hospital complex. The museum is easily accessed by Metro line D at Grange Blanche station, and is situated close to key university medical buildings, the Rockefeller campus, and the regional medical library; it is part of a scientific and healthcare district with other museums, green spaces, and tram and bus connections nearby for convenient access from central Lyon.

Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine et de la Pharmacie

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