Musée de Cluny - (Medieval Art)
No other museum can rival the Musée de Cluny collection of medieval art and artefacts
The Musée de Cluny is one of the most fascinating museums to visit in Paris. Situated at 6 Place Paul Painleve 75005 Paris, the Musée de Cluny is the National Museum of the Middle Ages. There is no other museum that can rival the Musée de Cluny in terms of the extent of their medieval collection of art and artefacts. The museum is also well known for its unique display as the actual building is a combination of medieval architecture and Gallo Roman ruins.
Among the many attractions within the vast museum are sculptures that date back to the 7th and 8th century respectively as well as a number of very important manuscripts from the medieval period which was well known for elaborate art work within these manuscripts. There are also a number of antique furniture and furnishings to be seen, gold and ivory art pieces and tapestries from many castles and noble homes around France.
Among these tapestries is perhaps the most famous tapestry collection in all of France, La Dame a la Licorne or the Lady of the Unicorn. These famous tapestries are said to have been woven in Flanders from silk and wool and are considered to be the finest example of tapestry art still in existence from the entire medieval period.
The original building in which the museum is housed was once a hotel — the Hotel de Cluny which, in the early part of the 14 century, was owned by the abbots of Cluny. The abbots of Cluny owned this hotel for a century by which time it was taken over by the Bishop of Clermont who lived in it as his official residence. The bishop rebuilt much of the hotel and many examples of the period's Gothic and renaissance elements remain intact to this day.
This museum definitely falls into the must see list of heritage sites for those who are in love with the Medieval period. Ensure that you allocate enough time on your itinerary to do it justice.
Nearby attractions: Latin Quarter, Pantheon and Notre Dame
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes, however entry is free with the Paris Pass.Currently Closed
Hours This Week:- Monday: 9:15 AM – 5:45 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 9:15 AM – 5:45 PM
- Thursday: 9:15 AM – 5:45 PM
- Friday: 9:15 AM – 5:45 PM
- Saturday: 9:15 AM – 5:45 PM
- Sunday: 9:15 AM – 5:45 PM
Address: 28 Rue du Sommerard, 75005 Paris, France
Phone: 01 53 73 78 00
Official Website: Musée de Cluny - (Medieval Art)
Map of nearby accommodations: Booking.comDirections
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M10 | Cluny - La Sorbonne | 3 minutes |
| M4 / RER-B and C | Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame | 6 minutes |
How to get to Musée de Cluny - (Medieval Art) by Metro / RER
By Metro M10: Take Metro Line 10 to Cluny - La Sorbonne Station. Exit the station and Cross over Bd Saint-Germain and walk south on Rue Saint-Jacques then right on Rue du Sommerard.
By Metro M4 or RER: Exit Metro Line 4 or RER Line B or C at Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame. Walk south on Bd Saint-Michel to Rue Pierre Sarrazin and go left. Musée de Cluny is just ahead on your left.
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Reviews
Rated out of 5
Sadly, the museum is still 99% under renovation and only the Magical Unicorns are in display. There is a reduced admission for all visitors, as a result. Tapestries are worth the visit. Plan an hour on your way to St Germain or lunch in the Latin Quarter. Great bookstore.
Mary McPartland - 28 days ago
Sadly, the museum is still 99% under renovation and only the Magical Unicorns are in display. There is a reduced admission for all visitors, as a result. Tapestries are worth the visit. Plan an hour on your way to St Germain or lunch in the Latin Quarter. Great bookstore.
A.B. Maynard IV - 1 month ago
Fam Hwolf - 1 month ago
I wanted to like this museum more than I did. My admission was part of the Paris Museum Pass (which is a great deal!) So I didn't pay their admission directly. I might have regretted if I had. All of that said, what they have is good. I really enjoy medieval tapestries, and their religious collection was interesting. The engraved church stones and statues were well presented. Bring inside of an old building made for some interesting architecture. It just felt small. I like to take my time in museums, reading everything and studying what I can. I was done in under an hour. I've since found some pictures online that make it look like there should have been outside interior space available, presumably the courtyard of the original abbey, along with some Roman baths, but if so, I never came across signs or doorways that indicated that. If I missed them, they need to be marked better. There is some garden space on the outside of the building where you can walk around or sit on a bench, without needing museum admission. Be sure to check that out too. On one hand I hope I just missed things and there's more to see, but if so, that means I missed out!
Arian Kulp - 2 months ago
I wanted to like this museum more than I did. My admission was part of the Paris Museum Pass (which is a great deal!) So I didn't pay their admission directly. I might have regretted if I had. All of that said, what they have is good. I really enjoy medieval tapestries, and their religious collection was interesting. The engraved church stones and statues were well presented. Bring inside of an old building made for some interesting architecture. It just felt small. I like to take my time in museums, reading everything and studying what I can. I was done in under an hour. I've since found some pictures online that make it look like there should have been outside interior space available, presumably the courtyard of the original abbey, along with some Roman baths, but if so, I never came across signs or doorways that indicated that. If I missed them, they need to be marked better. There is some garden space on the outside of the building where you can walk around or sit on a bench, without needing museum admission. Be sure to check that out too. On one hand I hope I just missed things and there's more to see, but if so, that means I missed out! 
Video
Photo Gallery
Exhibition at the Musée de Cluny showing body care and cosmetics from the antiquities through the Middle Ages cc licensed photo by dalbera 
Ancient body care exhibits at the Cluny cc licensed photodalbera -
Larmes d'albâtre (musée national du Moyen Âge) cc licensed photo by dalbera -
Saint Christophe (Musée national du Moyen Âge) cc licensed photo by dalbera -
Paris SEPT2011 Musee du Moyen Age polychrome sculpture cc licensed photo by Mark B. Schlemmer -
Le plafond de la Chapelle (Musée de Cluny) cc licensed photo by dalbera -
"Comment on peut tirer les lièvres" (Livre de chasse, Musée national du Moyen Âge) cc licensed photo by dalbera -
Reliquary, Cluny Museum, Paris cc licensed photo by jastrow75 -
BOULEVARD SAINT MICHEL cc licensed photo by marsupilami92 -
Saint Dominique sauvant des naufragés (Musée national du Moyen Âge) cc licensed photo by dalbera -
Paris SEPT2011 Musee du Moyen Age stained glass detail 1 cc licensed photo by Mark B. Schlemmer -
Paris SEPT2011 Musee du Moyen Age Head of Christ circa 1470 cc licensed photo by Mark B. Schlemmer
