Exhibition-file " René Théophile Hyacinthe Laënnec (1781-1826) "

From May 4 to July 31 2026,the Bibliothèque patrimoniale du Collège de France will be hosting an exhibition to mark the bicentenary of the death of René Théophile Hyacinthe Laënnec (1781-1826), Professor of Medicine (1822-1826). Inventor of the stethoscope and the technique of medial auscultation (i.e., using the stethoscope), Laënnec was a leading exponent of pathological anatomy, to whom we owe a great deal of credit. His lectures at the Collège de France attracted many foreign audiences eager to learn about his innovative method. Focusing on four main themes, the exhibition explores the work of this physician through a selection of works and archives from the heritage division's collections. The exhibition is free of charge and open to the public from Monday to Friday, 9 h to 18 h, except public holidays, at the Bibliothèque patrimoniale du Collège de France, site Marcelin-Berthelot.