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Musèe de Cluny
Join the Middle Ages and thrive with France’s rich history at the Musèe de Cluny.
Paris’ National Museum of the Middle Ages, most popularly known as the Cluny, was erected in what is now the Latin Quarter in the city’s 5th arrondissement. Situated on the Paul Painlevé Plaza, the building itself is one the greatest examples of medieval architecture, which is nothing less than perfect for what it contains – the country’s most complete collection of medieval art and objects.
The Musèe de Cluny’s building was once an abbey for the abbots of Cluny. It was bought by Alexandre du Sommerard on 1833. After Sommerard’s death, his son used the Gothic-Renaissance spectacular building to display his father’s extensive art collection and, thus, the museum’s history began.
The museum sits next to the remains of 1st century Roman-Gallo baths: the Thermes de Cluny.
The Musèe de Cluny’s collection is displayed on two floors and is one that can be enjoyed in a more relaxed, spacious environment than that of the Louvre or Orsay, for example. The predominantly medieval accumulation of artifacts is comprised of illustrated manuscripts, ornate tapestries, precious metals, ceramics, sculptures, furniture, paintings, jewels and more.
The collection’s most visited exhibitions are its medieval "Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries, a papal golden rose and the original heads from the Notre Dame’s façade.
In late 2002, the Musèe de Cluny underwent an illumination makeover. Specialists in lighting designed illumination schemes for the different façades of the Cluny, under which the building’s full aesthetic impact is enjoyed during the night time as much as the day.
For more information about the Musèe de Cluny or other Paris cultural attractions, contact us and we will gladly send you further material about any subject of your interest. We will e-mail this information at no cost within 72 hours and it will be specific to your requirements.
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