Consul in 367, Jovinus commanded the armies in Gaul, under the Emperor Julian, and successfully resisted three attempts at invasion by the Alemanni. As a Christian, he founded a basilica at Rheims.
The white marble tomb with carvings is apparently Græco-Roman of the 3rd century, and dates back before the time of Jovinus, who died in 370. It is possible that Jovinus had the first occupant of the tomb ejected, or that he bought an old sarcophagus and had his own portrait affixed to it.
The chapel installed in the old library of the abbey contained some fine Louis XVI. wood carvings (see photo below of the ruins of the chapel).
CHAPEL OF THE HÔTEL-DIEU IN 1919
THE OLD CHAPTER-HOUSE OF THE ABBEY
The chapter-house of the abbey, which served as a refectory, was rebuilt about the end of the 12th century. With its pointed arches, it belonged to the early period of Gothic architecture. The most remarkable portion was the vestibule facing the cloister. The decoration of the lateral arcades of the vestibule included Roman capitals, nearly all of which are intact (photo below), and which are of great value from the standpoint of the history of art and costumes. In the refectory were the Godard tables made out of a single branch of a gigantic oak-tree from the forest of St. Basle. They were given to the old Hôtel-Dieu by Canon Godard, whose name is incrusted in lead in the wood, as a rebus: Go, followed by the figure of a dart (French: dard).
Near the chapter-house, a round-arched chamber was all that remained of the early portion of the abbey.