Sainte-Anne Hospital Museum Showcases Art by Psychiatric Patients

The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de l'Hôpital Sainte-Anne (MAHHSA) in Paris holds a unique collection of nearly 1,800 works created by patients, some of whom became famous artists. The museum, located within the Sainte-Anne psychiatric hospital in the 14th arrondissement, was founded after a 1946 exhibition of mental patients' works and the 1950 International Exhibition of Psychopathological Art. The collection includes pieces by Aloïse Corbaz, Unica Zürn, and Guillaume Pujolle. The hospital dates to 1651, with buildings reconstructed by architect Bernard Poyet under Napoleon I in 1788. In 2016, MAHHSA became the first hospital museum labeled "Musée de France." The museum opens only for temporary exhibitions (two per year), currently featuring "Chefs-d'œuvre, au cœur de la collection Sainte-Anne" until July 26, 2026, and again from September 3 to December 20, 2026, displaying 145 works. Admission is free for under-26s, job seekers, and Friends of the museum; otherwise €5.