Urbex: Ancien orphelinat de la Haute-Barde aka Maison Des Dames, France – March 2018
Deep in the French countryside of Beaumont-la-Ronce sits the hauntingly beautiful remains of the Ancien Orphelinat de la Haute-Barde. Known to many urban explorers as the “Maison des Dames,” this sprawling 20th-century complex stands as a silent monument to social welfare, ageing, and eventual decay.
I visited this site in March 2018, finding a location caught between its grand architectural past and a messy, modern end.
A History of Social Service
The Domaine de la Haute-Barde was not always a place of silence. Its history is tied to the evolution of French social care:
Present Day: In 2023, the site was officially inscribed as a Monument Historique. While it has suffered from vandalism and its use as a makeshift airsoft arena, major renovation projects are reportedly slated to begin in 2024 to preserve its facades and roofs.
1906: The Orphanage of the Proletariat. The building was originally constructed at the turn of the century as the “Orphelinat de l’Avenir du Prolétariat” (Orphanage of the Proletariat’s Future). It was designed to house and educate the children of workers, providing a grand, structured environment during an era of significant social reform in France.
Post-WWII Transition: Following the Second World War (around 1946), the site transitioned from an orphanage to a retirement home and hospice, eventually serving as a geriatric annex for the nearby Tours University Hospital.
1992: The Final Closure. After nearly a century of service, the doors were locked in 1992. Since then, the “Maison des Dames” has sat in a state of suspended animation, slowly surrendering to the elements and occasional visitors.
Exploring the Decay: A March 2018 Visit
Stepping into Haute-Barde is an exercise in scale. The sheer size of the corridors and the height of the ceilings reflect the institutional ambition of the early 1900s.
The Grand Entrance and Staircases
The heart of the building is defined by its architectural elegance. The central staircase, flanked by a now-empty lift shaft, remains the most photogenic feature. The ironwork of the railings, though rusted, still hints at the craftsmanship of 1906. Looking up from the ground floor, the geometric patterns created by the landings and the peeling plaster of the stairwell provide a stark contrast between the building’s skeletal strength and its surface fragility.
The Endless Corridors
The wings of the building are connected by long, sun-drenched corridors. In March 2018, the low spring sun cut through the tall windows, casting long shadows across floors littered with debris. These hallways, which once echoed with the sounds of orphans and later the slow footsteps of the elderly, are now silent, save for the crunch of glass and the occasional plastic airsoft pellet underfoot.
The Signs of a New Use
While the history of the “Maison des Dames” is rooted in care, its more recent “unofficial” history was visible during my visit. Thousands of small airsoft pellets covered the floors in certain sections, particularly near the stairwells and larger wards, suggesting the building had been used for tactical games long after the hospital beds were removed.
Wards and Personal Spaces
In the larger rooms, which likely served as dormitory wards or communal dining areas, the wallpaper hangs in long, damp strips. You can still see the remnants of the institutional blue and green paint, colours chosen decades ago to provide a sense of calm, now adding to the melancholy atmosphere of the decay.
The Dolmen of Pierre Levée
Interestingly, the site’s history goes back much further than 1906. Just outside the rear entrance of the orphanage sits the Pierre Levée dolmen, a Neolithic stone monument classified as a historical site since 1889. It is a strange juxtaposition: a prehistoric burial site sitting in the shadow of a 20th-century ruin.
Final Thoughts
The Ancien Orphelinat de la Haute-Barde is more than just a “spot.” It is a timeline of French history, from the socialist ideals of the early 1900s to the healthcare needs of the late 20th century. While the “Maison des Dames” is now entering a new chapter of renovation, these images from 2018 capture the height of its “beautiful” decay, a moment when the building was truly a kingdom of dust and light.
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