A one-of-a-kind museum in Paris is giving visitors goosebumps with its extraordinary collection of medical casts and contemporary art exhibitions. The Museum of Medical Casts, housed within the historic Saint-Louis Hospital near the Saint-Martin Canal, has opened its doors to the public despite its unsettling collection that requires visitors to be at least 12 years old.
The museum boasts an incredible collection of nearly 5,000 dermatological educational casts that are intimately connected to the history of the Saint-Louis Hospital, which has been dedicated to treating skin diseases since 1801. These pedagogical molds provide a unique glimpse into medical history and the evolution of dermatological treatments over more than two centuries.
Currently running through the end of October 2025, the museum is hosting "Frammenti," an exhibition by contemporary artist duo Hippolyte Hentgen. This collaboration between historical medical artifacts and modern art creates an unusual but compelling dialogue between science and artistic expression. The exhibition demonstrates how the museum has evolved beyond its traditional medical education role to embrace contemporary artistic interpretations.
Visitors should be prepared for an intense experience, as the museum's collection can be quite shocking to those unprepared for the graphic nature of medical documentation. The age restriction reflects the institution's acknowledgment that the detailed medical casts depicting various skin conditions may be disturbing to younger audiences. However, for those with strong constitutions, the museum offers an unparalleled educational and artistic experience.
The Museum of Medical Casts represents a unique institution worldwide, serving as both a medical archive and a contemporary cultural space. By combining its historical medical collection with modern art exhibitions, the museum has successfully transformed from a purely educational medical facility into a multifaceted cultural destination that challenges visitors' perceptions of both medicine and art.
