| Musée du Moyen Age (Middle Ages) - Musée de Cluny tips and photos posted by real travelers and Paris locals.
Boulevard St-Michel
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This is one of our favorite museums. It's small but packed with interest. There are Roman baths and artifacts but the main focus is medieval history. The most famous part of the collection is the series of Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries so be sure to see them. They are upstairs in a room by themselves and come with an explanation. Photos are allowed but no flash so it's difficult to get a good picture.
The stained glass is amazing because it is mounted on a light wall and you can get right up to it and see the details. Much more fun than using binoculars to view windows twenty feet over your head.
Finally, don't miss the gardens. There is a medieval garden with very modern fountains and sculpture. There is ample seating for family picnics on wooden benches and a marvelous children's playground if you have your kids with you.
Oh yes, this is a great place to buy the Paris Museum Pass because there is almost never a line at the Cluny Museum. Leave a Comment Directions: Where Boulevard Saint-Michel meets Boulevard Saint-Germain... couldn't be easier. Metro Cluny-Sorbonne (closer) or Saint-Michel (not far at all).
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 Pic of the entrance of the
National Museum by BenFromParis
These two monuments in the center of Paris are exctremly beautiful and very well renovated. You can also have a walk in the gardens during your visit.
Days and hours of operation
Every day except Tuesday, from 9:15 to 5:45
Desk closes at 5:15
Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Métro : Cluny-La Sorbonne / Saint-Michel / Odéon
RER : line C Saint-Michel / line B Cluny - La Sorbonne Leave a Comment Phone: +33 (0)1 53 73 78 00Directions: Where Boulevard Saint-Michel meets Boulevard Saint-Germain... couldn't be easier. Metro Cluny-Sorbonne (closer) or Saint-Michel (not far at all).Website: http://www.musee-moyenage.fr Other Contact: +33 (0)1 53 73 78 00
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 The gothic courtyard of Musee
de Cluny by pigletsmomLeave a Comment Directions: Where Boulevard Saint-Michel meets Boulevard Saint-Germain... couldn't be easier. Metro Cluny-Sorbonne (closer) or Saint-Michel (not far at all).
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 Door of the Cluny Museum by mabelynLeave a Comment
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 gardens of the Musee de Cluny by mrclay2000Leave a Comment Directions: Where Boulevard Saint-Michel meets Boulevard Saint-Germain... couldn't be easier. Metro Cluny-Sorbonne (closer) or Saint-Michel (not far at all).
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The Musee du Moyen Age houses the beautiful collection of 'unicorn tapestries'. They have never been separated and are displayed together in their own special room. Their gorgeous colours, and the sheer size of the pieces, must be seen to be believed. Unfortunately, my photos don't do justice to them.
The museum also has some pieces of medieval fabric, pieces of original stained glass from various French cathedrals and churches, a small number of pieces of armour, paintings, gravestones and much more.
The museum is a definate must-see for anyone interested in the Middle Ages.
Admission is E$5,50 for adults.
Open every day (except Tuesday), from 9:15 to 5:45. Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Leave a Comment
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Tapestry as an art form dates from the 14 C. The earliest ones on display were made in 1380 in Paris and are exhibited in a special museum in the Castle of Angers (they were of the Apocalypse and 70 remain) on the Loire. A few crude earlier ones may exist. The set of 6 about the Lady and the Unicorn are world famous (a different Unicorn set are in the Cloisters) . All are of the 1490 period. Another set of 6 of the same time but on a different subject are also in the Cluny; these are entitled “La vie seigneurale” . They all have in common a background style called “mille-fleur” (thousand flowers) suggesting that a large manufacture was at work in Flanders where they originated. There are several others of this period, including one of a grape (and wine) harvest with a presiding noble couple who are clearly “under the influence”. Besides the skills of planning and execution, the tapestries are interesting as insights into the customs and behavior of those times. The manor life set is clearly a story of proper courtship and agreement to marry. If you can give yourself enough time, you can enjoy several hours here. We have gone to the Cluny on every trip. we have made to Paris. It has broadened our appreciation for numerous other sites all over France. There are other tapestry museums in France that cover later periods (even the 20th century). Leave a Comment
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The collections are displayed on two levels of the Hotel de Cluny, in a thematic and chronological order; it is really worth to take a long a (free) audio guide which gives explanations about the masterpieces you discover during the visit.
In the past, historians considered the Middle Age as a “dark era” of European history; now it is admitted that arts and literature flourished at that time, it is just a matter (among others) to re-discover the treasures. . . . . . and what they tell us! Let’s proceed in the lower level.
I was a not bad chess player when I was young and I should have applied what the story of this famous Chess Players stained glass (13th century) tells: the man and the lady play chess, and the scene represents the man taking the queen of his opponent; the result is : he wins and can take the lady to bed. . . . Well, if the lady wins, she probably may take the man to bed, so. . . the final result may be the same (?). I like a lot that sort of symbolic stories. . . . This glass is famous for the colours and the exquisite work on details, with very fine expressive work; look at the expression of the eyes of the man and how the lady looks “upset”! And at all the details of the scene, the clothes, hats, environment. . . Some say art was primitive in Middle Age. . . . .
A painted wood North European St George is just elegant when killing the dragon. (picture 2). It is not a toy, on picture 3, but a processional Christ which was trailed in Bavarian processions on Palm Day, carved in the 12th century. There are lots of details on the carvings of some of the displayed choir stalls (picture 4). I easily imagine this St John Baptist (14th century) talking to me, and I am scared I could even be converted, so convincing he looks! (picture 5)
Days and hours of operation
Every day except Tuesday, from 9:15 to 5:45
Desk closes at 5:15
Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
-Plein tarif : 7.5 €
-Tarif réduit : 5.5 € Phone: 33 (0)1 53 73 78 16Directions: Not far from South East side of crossing of Bd St Germain and Bd St Michel Métro Cluny-La Sorbonne / Saint-Michel / Odéon Bus n° 21 - 27 - 38 - 63 - 85 - 86 - 87 RER line C Saint-Michel / line B Cluny - La SorbonneWebsite: http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/ang/index.html
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 flashless photography in the
sculpture galleries by mrclay2000Leave a Comment Directions: Where Boulevard Saint-Michel meets Boulevard Saint-Germain... couldn't be easier. Metro Cluny-Sorbonne (closer) or Saint-Michel (not far at all).
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 La dame à la licorne by djou_box
Remember also that most Parisian Musuems are free on the 1st sunday of each month. Leave a Comment
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