About
The Cluny Museum, also known as the Musée de Cluny or the National Museum of the Middle Ages, stands in the Latin Quarter of Paris at 6 Place Paul Painlevé, in the 5th arrondissement. It is devoted to medieval art and everyday objects, and it makes a rewarding visit for anyone curious about life and craft in Europe before the Renaissance.
What you will see
The collection is built around medieval art and artifacts. Its best-known works are the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, a series that draws most visitors to the museum. Beyond the tapestries, the displays cover a broad range of medieval objects, offering a close look at the decorative and practical arts of the period.
The building itself
The museum occupies a 15th-century Gothic mansion, so the setting is part of the experience. Moving through its rooms gives a sense of late medieval domestic architecture. The site also holds ruins of Roman baths, which add a second, older layer of history to a single visit.
Plan to spend time in both the galleries and the building. The contrast between the Gothic mansion and the Roman remains makes the visit more than a display of objects.
Around the museum
- The Latin Quarter surrounds the museum, with its streets, cafés and bookshops.
- The Panthéon and the Sorbonne are within walking distance.
- The Seine and its riverside paths are a short stroll away.
For practical details such as opening hours and tickets, you can call the museum at +33 1 53 73 78 16 before you go.
