The University of Montpellier and the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicine are presenting a special exhibition dedicated to student life at the School of Medicine during the interwar period.

Housed in the iconic dissection hall of the Faculty’s historic building, this exhibition immerses visitors in the daily lives of future doctors of that era. Through a remarkable collection of archival materials, it traces their journey—from their arrival in Montpellier to the defense of their theses—covering their studies, their community involvement, and their student life.

A unique journey into the history of medical education and the people who shaped it.

A unique exhibition showcasing the historical heritage of the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicine

The University of Montpellier and the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicine present a unique exhibition dedicated to the lives of medical students between the two world wars. Held in the Faculty of Medicine’s iconic historic dissection room, this exhibition invites the public to discover, through remarkable archival materials, the academic journey and daily life of future doctors during the interwar period.

An Exceptional Heritage Dedicated to Passing It On

Housed in the historic building of the University of Montpellier’s School of Medicine, this exhibition is part of the institution’s stated commitment to showcasing its collections and history. The archives of the world’s oldest medical school with legal status constitute an exceptional collection spanning nearly eight centuries of history, from the 13th century to the present day.

This initiative aims to make these documentary resources more visible to both the academic community and the general public.

A Rediscovered Collection of Historic Posters

At the heart of the exhibition is a remarkable collection of historical posters that were long difficult to access. Restored, cataloged, and digitized thanks to extensive work carried out by university teams and their partners, these posters now shed new light on student and institutional life at the time.

These rare documents serve as the starting point for an immersive narrative that chronicles the daily life of a medical student during a pivotal period marked by the transformations of French society after World War I.

From the First Day to the Thesis Defense: A Medical Student's Journey

The exhibition traces a student's journey from his arrival in Montpellier until he completes his dissertation.

Visitors will discover, among other things:

  • Arrival in Montpellier and enrollment at the university;
  • the courses taught, the subjects studied, and the memorable teachers;
  • the learning spaces within the Faculty;
  • Medical Study Trips (V.E.M.);
  • the stages of outpatient and inpatient care;
  • the preparation and defense of the dissertation.

Beyond the academic curriculum, the exhibition also explores students’ daily lives: housing, dining, health, campus organizations, and student social life.

An immersive experience in a place steeped in history

The choice of the historic dissection room lends this exhibition a special significance. As a true place of remembrance, it stands on its own as an exceptional testament to the history of medical education in Montpellier.

The presence of dissection tables designated as historic monuments, along with the constraints associated with preserving this heritage, guided the exhibition design, which was conceived with respect for the site and its history. The space thus becomes a full-fledged part of the narrative, offering visitors an immersive experience in which architectural heritage and archival materials engage in a constant dialogue.

A stage design at the intersection of individual and collective history

To support visitors as they explore the archives, several educational programs enhance the experience:

  • a gallery of portraits featuring the professors and academic figures highlighted in the exhibition;
  • a historical map of the Faculty that helps visitors find their way around the building with a “You Are Here” marker and vintage photographs;
  • a large map of Montpellier showing the main locations associated with medical education, clinics, and academic institutions of the time.

A collaborative project dedicated to preserving the university's heritage

This exhibition is the culmination of a collaborative effort involving faculty members, students, university departments, as well as heritage services and academic partners. This collective effort illustrates the commitment to making the archives a tool for knowledge transfer, education, and cultural outreach, while highlighting the human history of generations of students who have shaped Montpellier’s medical excellence.

Exhibition: “Medical Students Between the Two World Wars”
Location: Montpellier Faculty of Medicine, 2 rue École de Médecine, 34000 Montpellier
Organizers: University of Montpellier and Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine
Opening reception: September 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
Dates: October 1, 2026 – December 18, 2026
Days: Thursday through Saturday
Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Press contacts:

Patrick PARIS, University Press Officer
patrick.paris@umontpellier.fr and communication@umontpellier.fr
06.99.39.99.27

Sophie DIKOFF, Project Coordinator, Historical Archives of the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Scientific Culture and Historical Heritage
sophie.dikoff@umontpellier.fr
04.34.43.36.79

Morgane VILLA SALVIGNOL, Communications Manager, Faculty of Medicine
med-communication@umontpellier.fr
04.34.43.35.70