Musee d'Histoire de la Medecine (Museum of Medicine History), Paris

This museum's collections, which hold the distinction of being the oldest in Europe, are showcased in a magnificent hall constructed between 1905 and 1907. The hall is situated in a wing of the building that was added to the renowned Collège de Chirurgie, an architectural marvel designed by the esteemed Jacques Gondoin. Within this small but interesting space, visitors can marvel at the surgical instruments carefully amassed by Professor Dean Lafaye during the 18th century, along with a diverse array of exhibits that vividly trace the evolution of medicine from ancient times to the present day, including ancient medical texts, intricate anatomical models, and various pharmaceutical equipment.

One particularly intriguing item on display is a small circular table, positioned near the staircase. Upon closer inspection, astute observers may discern its truly remarkable composition—crafted entirely from preserved human body parts. Petrified brains, blood, bile, liver, lungs, glands, a foot, four ears, and sections of vertebrae form this unusual and macabre creation, presented to Napoleon III in 1866 by an Italian naturalist doctor.

From ancient healing practices to the revolutionary advancements that have shaped modern medicine, this institution provides a captivating journey into the intricate world of medical science.