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 and instruments for measuring and 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!


In 2025, guided tours will take place in July and August by prior arrangement:
Wednesday to Saturday at 4pm
* Ticket office 15 minutes before departure.
Visits for groups of 10 or more are available by prior arrangement.
School visits and workshops are available by prior arrangement.
A pass is available to visit the apothecary and the Royal Prisons.