Choose your country/language to continue your visit

Pictogram identifying a member of the VISITWallonia.be Pass
  • Attractions
  • Museum or Interpretation Centre
  • Park/garden

At Lessines, the birthplace of Walloon Surrealism master René Magritte, seven centuries of medicine and healthcare are celebrated at this rare example of a mediaeval hospital, which was saved from the bulldozers after it closed in the 1980s.

Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose à Lessines - Wallonie en famille

Please accept marketing-cookies to watch this video.

History

Notre Dame was run by an order of nuns who served the local community from 1242. Occupying some 20 rooms arranged around a central cloister, the exhibits include some hair-raising surgical instruments from the distant past, as well as religious art, furniture and 2,000 rare books and manuscripts. The Gothic cloister and Baroque chapel are particular delights, and overall Notre Dame is an outstanding example of Wallonia’s pivotal role as a centre of Christianity, art and science.

The Notre-Dame à la Rose Hospital is one of the last examples of an autarkic hospital site.

A living museum

There are 20 rooms to explore, divided in 4 themes:

  • Art 
  • Architecture 
  • Medicine and Pharmacy
  • Botanic: the cloister garden, planted with 350 medicinal plants is exceptional

Events take place along the year: graphic arts, ancient techniques, medicinal herbs, foraging, music concerts, play roles....

 

We do our best to keep you informed. It's best, however, to check the latest news with the attraction you are visiting, or operator you have booked an activity with. Read our travel advice.
This information is given for indication purposes only, best to check with the site you hope to visit before heading there - by phone, email, social media or simply by visiting their website.

VISITWallonia.be Advantage Pass

Your Advantage Pass

Official logo of the VISITWallonia.be pass

-10% off the individual admission price

Offer valid until 31/12/2024 according to opening hours. Valid for a maximum of 4 people. Cannot be combined with other offers from this partner. On presentation of your VISITWallonia.be Pass or by booking on the provider's website with your Pass number.

Equipement

Cafe - Shop - Car parking - Motor Home parking - Parking - Restaurant

Visites

Guide available/groups - German - EN - ES - FR - IT - NL - Audioguide/mobile app/tablet

VISITWallonia.be Pass

VISITWallonia.be Pass

Enjoy Wallonia for less with our selection of special offers.

Get your Pass
Brochures

Brochures

Wallonia, Destination Nature

Download