Day 52 – Touring Toulouse

Pont Neuf (translates: “New Bridge”, catchy name, eh?) is a relatively recent version at this particular crook in the river La Garonne having been constructed in 1632.

It’s predecessor was started in 1125 by a Benedictine monastery.

The red character in the left most arch is a modern art sculpture, I think. Here is a closer picture.

Sculpture displayed within Pont Neuf

My day started with a mission to rid myself of the sleeping bag I’ve been using while on the Camino.  

For the remainder of my trip I will be staying in budget hotels that provide regular bedding so I won’t need or want to carry around the sleeping bag.  

With some guidance from the receptionist at my hotel I found the Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) office.  According to their website, the MdM “is an independent international movement of campaigning activists who provide care, bear witness and support social change.”  

In Toulouse they provide assistance to the homeless and other disadvantaged people.
When I explained that I had this sleeping bag to give away,  they became very excited and said there are people sleeping outside who would appreciate it.  They gave me a bottle of water and I went on my way.

  

One of the stops on my self-guided walking tour of Toulouse was the Musée d’ Histoire de la Médecine.   This started out as a collection of paintings, sculptures, and old medical instruments collected by Professor Jean-Charles Auvergnat.
  

Over time it grew into 3 floors of items and was eventually moved to its current location at the Hótel -Dieu Saint-Jacques.  

“Hótel-Dieu” translates to hospital.  Today, it actually “houses the headquarters of the Toulouse Hospitals and the functional departments of the Toulouse University Hospital.”.

The building’s history dates back to the 12th century when it was a major hospital serving pilgrims from all over Europe on their way to Santiago de Compostela, thus the sculpture of Saint James over the main entrance.

There were many interesting items in the museum.  One of the less macabre was this papyrus document dated 3000BC.  It has been  professionally translated to the following instructions for treatment of a fractured collarbone.

Amazing.

Tomorrow I take the Ouibus to Montpelier,  the 8th largest city in France and close to the Mediterranean Sea.   

Buen Camino,

– jgp