Database: Hospice des Enfants Trouvés

The meticulous chronicler Sebastien Mercier left evidence of the tens of thousands of children abandoned in Paris. Mercier spoke of these "exposed children" who were often left on the steps of churches (the most famous among them was the philosopher d'Alembert), or in the towers of convents. The Hópital de La Charité, or Charity Hospital, was supposed to accommodate them with the income from certain fines, but new facilities were needed. With the financial support of Chancellor d'Aligre (a city square and a marker bear his name), Queen Maria Theresa founded this hospice in 1670, situated on what is now the Square Trousseau. A subsidiary establishment would be built on the forecourt of Notre-Dame.

Behind the scenes

The Hôpital des Enfants-Trouvés in Paris was actually founded in 1638 by Catholic priest Vincent de Paul, with 1670 being the date a royal edict officially annexed it to the General Hospital of Paris.