Le Val-de-Grace. Deux Siecles de Medecine Militaire

Paris: Editions Hervas, 1993. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Paris, Editions Hervas, 1993. Large quarto; silver pictorial textured papered boards; commercial bookplate; an excellent copy. 'Since the Revolution Val-de-Grâce has been the spearhead of military medicine, and today also civil medicine ... Few journalists have had access to the VIP areas of Val-de-Grâce hospital, adding to its mystique. Fantastic rumours have spread of its supposedly luxurious presidential suites, good food and secret entrances. All have been denied, apart from the above-average hospital meals. However, when 'LExpress' magazine contacted the hospital a few years ago to ask about the 'presidential suite' - various reports had suggested the four-room complex was on the ground floor overlooking the hospital park, museum and 17th-century church - a military spokesperson replied: 'No idea where it is, what it looks like or even if it exists'. 'Secrecy,' concluded 'LExpress', 'is something of a speciality at Val-de-Grâce.'' ('The Guardian', 16 October 2014). Text in French. A related pamphlet is loosely inserted.