Musee National du Moyen Age (Musee de Cluny)

Roman Baths & Medieval Mansions
Located in the Latin Quarter a visit to the Musee National du Moyen Age (once called the Musee de Cluny) is a fascinating step into the medieval world. It is built on a site that is over 1700 years old. The manor house is built right on top of Roman baths. It houses a stunning array of Medieval Art.

The mansion itself was built in 1515 and was the home of Mary Tudor. In 1883 Alexandre du Sommerand rented the building and thus began its wonderful transformation into a place of art. After he died the government bought the mansion and the collection it housed.

Exquisite Tapestries
Exquisite tapestries of unrivaled beauty adorn the walls of this museum. The crowning set being the La Dame a la licorne (The Lady with the Unicorn). It is on display in a room specially set up just for it. Absolutely superb!

In another room there is another marvelous tapestry depicting the Resurrection of Christ, with silver and gold thread embroidery throughout the scene.

More Treasures
In what is known as room 5 there are other wonderful treasures. Wood and alabaster alterpiece plaques are on display. In room 6 you can see colorful fragments of stained glass windows from the Saint Chapelle. The workmanship is absolutely amazing in detail.
Inside room 8 is the fascinating display of the Kings of Judea. There are twenty-one heads discovered in a 1977 excavation near Notre Dame. These heads were cut off during the Revolution and they have been damaged from the ages but you can see them next to the headless robed figures that they once were attached too.

Room 9 holds the frigidarium, what was once the cold room of the Roman Baths. And then on to the last of the rooms which shelter more Romanesque sculpture and works.

Medieval Entertainment
You can visit the beautiful gardens any time and be sure and take the kids along as there is a children’s playground near. You can also hear medieval music at the various concerts held on Fridays at lunchtime.

This museum is one of the true jewels in the crown that is Paris.