THE MARITIME HOSPITAL

Two widows are said to be behind the development of Berck's first hospital, the widow Duhamel de Groffliers and the widow Marie-Anne Brillard, as the beneficial effects of Berck's iodized air became known. In 1861, a small hospital was temporarily set up. As time went by, the needs became more and more important, so that a second, larger one was built from 1867 onwards. It offers 700 beds and a heated seawater swimming pool. Initially called the Napoleon or Imperial Hospital, it was inaugurated on July 18, 1869 by Empress Eugenie, accompanied by the Imperial Prince. After the fall of the Second Empire, the hospital was renamed Maritime Hospital. Its reputation attracted many suffering artists. It became a military hospital during the First World War. The establishment still serves as a hospital today and is managed by the Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris. With more than 200 beds, it forms a shared "Disability and Rehabilitation" centre with the Raymond-Poincaré Hospital in Garches.