The Sun King (1638-1715) Louis XIV's spirit is embodied in this general hospital as a testament to his reign, founded by him during the late 17th century. It's name was adopted from the "Petit Arsenal" a gunpowder (saltpeter) arsenal on the opposite side of the Seine. For this reason the hospital would come to be known as La Salpêtrière. Over the years, patients with mental illness, tourette's syndrome, and the occasional bad seed were housed. A visit to this landmark is an eerie journey into history.