The Cluny Museum - Musée National du Moyen Âge

Update: The Cluny is renovated and reopened and stunning. There is better lighting and nicer restrooms and more visitor facilities. However, I do miss the sense of history that enveloped you in the older building. The older building is still there but much modernized. In all honesty, it is a better museum experience but I loved that old building with the poor lighting and creaky floors. I will still recommend visiting for many reasons, amazing collection of medieval artifacts, the world-famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, the historic stonework from Notre Dame and especially for the wonderful collection of easily viewable stained glass. Click the link further below for the museum web site for hours and information.

The Cluny was nearly closed the last time we were in Paris (pre-COVID) and we could only see a small part of the collection. However, the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries were available and featured. They have recently been restored and are shown in much better lighting than they used to be. Unfortunately, the Cluny is now completely closed until early 2022 because they are doing major work on the building and the collection.

When it reopens, don't miss it. One of my favorite exhibits is the stained glass. Usually these are windows up high where you can't really see them without binoculars. In the Cluny, they are at eye level and back lighted so they are easy to see and strikingly beautiful. There are lots of other exhibits that give a good idea of medieval life including statues, furniture, paintings, other tapestries, toys, religious articles and in the basement, the wonderful Kings of Judah exhibit.

Check the web site to make sure it's open. Sometimes restorations don't go as planned. Click here for the Cluny Museum web site You can click on the a flag at the top to have the web site translated into your language.

Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry - Hearing

Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry - Sight

Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry - Smell

Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry - Touch

Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry - Taste

Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry - "À Mon Seul Désir"