The Hospital General of Grenoble was established in the late 16th century in Grenoble , France as a house of confinement and relief for paupers , beggars , the diseased, etc. Throughout centuries, the Hospital went through moments of success, and moments of great financial need. In addition to this, the Hospital went through multiple directors who all drastically changed the Hospital to meet their own expectations.
The Hospital was composed of various buildings that served several purposes including housing the inmates. Besides this service, the Hospital also provided bread to those who needed it, although that also changed throughout the decades. In the late 16th century, multiple plagues and famines took over the city. He donated some of his lands and the amount was matched by the government. The facility would consist of four buildings forming a square.
On the left and right would be the sleeping quarters for men and women. Then the kitchens, laundries and other facilities necessary at an institution such as this one. And on the fourth side would be the chapel and sacristy where the priests would live, along with the nuns , orphaned children, and all other employees of the Hospital. The cost seemed very expensive for the city, and the Hospital found itself almost fully funded by voluntary donations.
The Duc de Crequi made the very first donation although, the magistrates dominate the list of donators. The groundbreaking of the hospital in , was attended by mostly judges. The magistrates had since let the Bishop of Grenoble play a small role in the founding of the Hospital.
In the 16th century, the main idea of the hospital had been the relief of the poor. But as the Counter Reformation began to find its way into the city, the Hospital's founders spoke of how "The Charity of men and women of Grenoble has built this Hospital to care for the bodies and souls On July 17, , twenty-four noble women walked in hand with twelve orphans through the streets of the city and to the Hospital.
