Summary
Introduction to the Museum
The National Medieval Art Museum in Paris, also known as the Musée Cluny, stands out as one of Europe’s premier collections dedicated to the arts and social history of the Middle Ages in France. After being closed for renovations in 2018 and most of 2019, Musée Cluny reopened its doors to the public on July 14, 2019.
Location and Contact Information
Located in Paris’ 5th arrondissement, in the vibrant historic Latin Quarter, the museum is within proximity to key attractions such as Sorbonne University, Sainte-Chapelle, the Jardin du Luxembourg, and the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral.
- Address: Hôtel de Cluny, 6, Place Paul Painlevé
- Entrance: The main entrance is located at 28 rue Du Sommerard 75005 Paris.
- Metro/RER: Saint-Michel or Cluny-la-Sorbonne
The Layout of the Collections
The museum’s permanent exhibits provide an extensive overview of the arts from the early Middle Ages through to the Renaissance in the 15th century. The museum is especially noted for its collection of medieval fabrics and tapestries. Here’s a breakdown of the collections:
- The Ground Floor: Features Gallo-Roman baths (temporary exhibits), stunning stained-glass from the medieval period, and statuary.
- The First Floor: Home to The Rotunda of the Lady and the Unicorn, alongside other tapestries, paintings, wood carvings, and artifacts from daily life.
- The Medieval Garden: Situated on the side of the Hôtel de Cluny facing Boulevard St-Germain, this garden is free for public access.
Visitors can also appreciate various medieval objects, including clothing, shoes, and accessories. The remnants of the Roman thermal baths are particularly captivating, with the Frigidarium housing temporary exhibits and the ruins of the Caldarium and Tepidarium outside.
“The Lady and the Unicorn”
The crown jewel of the museum is undoubtedly the magnificent 15th-century tapestry, “La Dame et la Licorne.” This piece, displayed in its own low-light rotunda, is attributed to anonymous Flanders weavers and draws inspiration from a medieval German legend.
Comprising six panels that symbolize the five senses alongside a final allegorical panel, this tapestry captivated audiences ever since French writer Prosper Mérimée discovered it in a hidden French castle. The tapestry’s narrative portrays a lady communicating with a unicorn and varies in scenes that reflect the joys and perils of the senses.
Each panel corresponds to a sense: Touch, Sight, Smell, Taste, and Hearing, concluded by an enigmatic panel titled “A mon seul désir” (To My Only Desire), which some suggest embodies the victory of spiritual understanding over sensory experiences.
The tapestry also features a unicorn and lion adorned in armor, signaling the benefactor Jean le Viste, a noble associated with King Charles VII. This artwork continues to inspire with its rich allegorical meanings and exquisite craftsmanship. Visitors are encouraged to spend time reflecting on its intricacies.
The Medieval Garden
The aromatic medieval-style garden at the Hôtel de Cluny offers a glimpse into the historical cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs. The garden boasts a “kitchen garden” with vegetables like chives and cabbage and a medicinal garden featuring sage along with eight other essential herbs. A lovely path winds throughout the garden, adorned with wallflowers, valerian, and Christmas roses, complemented by fragrant jasmine and honeysuckle.
