Over the past couple of years, I have written about the landscape at Sainte-Anne's Hospital* in the spring, summer, and fall.
Today, I'm rounding out this series of articles with a post about Sainte-Anne's in the wintertime.
In December 2025, the view of the hospital from boulevard Saint-Jacques was somewhat marred by the construction on rue Ferrus.
View of Sainte-Anne's Hospital from boulevard Saint-Jacques
© Entrée to Black Paris
But the grounds behind the entrance on rue Cabanis did not disappoint.
The wall next to the small door for pedestrian entry to the campus bears a plaque that declares the premises a certified Eco-jardin.
Eco-jardin plaque
© Entrée to Black Paris
Organizations that successfully earn this qualification are committed to following a management plan that includes elements such as proper soil protection, responsible water use, respect for flora and fauna, and staff training on the sustainability of green spaces.
Sainte-Anne's earned its certification in 2025.
I made my usual rounds of the campus on the day after Christmas.
Near the path leading to the medieval garden, I was surprised to see a sign that congratulated visitors on completing a 9-stage exercise course (balade sportive) that has been created on the campus.
Congratulations on completing the balade sportive
© Entrée to Black Paris
I learned that the hospital has encouraged staff and visitors to follow this course for several years, but I have never seen this signage before.
Walking past the Coteau "Les Contemplations," I noted that the grape vines planted there and around the statue of Victor Hugo were bare. One lonely rose swayed in the wind next to the path near the sculpture.
Grape vines near Victor Hugo sculpture
© Entrée to Black Paris
Rose near Victor Hugo sculpture
© Entrée to Black Paris
On the other side of campus, I discovered another garden area that had been planted with a single row of grapevines. A cluster of drying grapes clung to one of these vines; the rest of them were bare.
A cluster of grapes
© Entrée to Black Paris
The CGT (Conféderation Générale du Travail - General Confederation of Labor) union office had multiple announcements posted next to the entrance. One in particular called for donations to support its cause.
CGT flier
© Entrée to Black Paris
I had fun snapping photos of the few flowering plants I found and trying to identify those I didn't recognize using my PlantNet app. (I am no botanist, so if any of the labels below are erroneous, feel free to let me know!)
Camelia
© Entrée to Black Paris
Nipplewort
© Entrée to Black Paris
Honeysuckle
© Entrée to Black Paris
Winter daphne
© Entrée to Black Paris
Saint Martin's Lily and Spanish Dagger
© Entrée to Black Paris
Compared to what I remembered from my visit last summer, many more trees were identified by plaques. My guess is that the signage is part of the hospital's eco-jardin initiative.
Incense cedar
© Entrée to Black Paris
Incense cedar plaque
© Entrée to Black Paris
Golden rain tree
© Entrée to Black Paris
Golden rain tree plaque
© Entrée to Black Paris
Poplar tree
© Entrée to Black Paris
Poplar tree plaque
© Entrée to Black Paris
The signage for the poplar tree in the Parc Charles Baudelaire states that this tree is the oldest and largest on the hospital's campus.
A sign on another tree nearby indicates that the park is the starting point for the balade sportive.
Starting point for the balade sportive
© Entrée to Black Paris
My most striking discovery during this visit had nothing to do with plants.
On a wall near the Alesia entrance to the campus, the Museum of Art and History of Sainte-Anne's Hospital (MAHHSA) was displaying a portrait gallery from its collection of works created by patients. The dated artworks were created between 1905 and 1986; most of them were works on paper.
A selection of portraits from MAHHSA's collection
All images © Entrée to Black Paris
None of the 27 works on display were attributed to Beauford. To the best of my ability to determine, the museum does not hold any of his work in its collection.
To read the articles about my spring, autumn, and summer visits to Sainte-Anne's, click on the links below.
Early Spring at Sainte-Anne's Hospital
Fall Flowers at Sainte-Anne's Hospital
Summertime at Sainte-Anne's Hospital
Entrance to Sainte-Anne's Hospital - rue Cabanis
© Entrée to Black Paris
*Sainte-Anne's Hospital is the place where Beauford died after spending four years as a psychiatric inpatient.
