Cluny Museum Overview
Collections of the Cluny Museum
With your Cluny Museum Tickets, you can get a chance to see a Golden Rose in the museum, which is said to be the oldest golden rose that is still held in the museum. The rose has a rich history, which suggests that a golden rose would be given by the Pope to one of his followers as a reward every year on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This golden rose was given to the Count of Neuchâtel by Pope John XXII in 1330.
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The statue of Adam, said to be sculpted by Pierre de Montreuil in the mid-13th century was moved to the Cluny Museum in 1887, and was formerly located on the inner side of the south façade of the transept of Notre-Dame in Paris. The sculpture is 2 metres tall, and is a masterpiece of Gothic era artwork.
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One of the main pieces of the collection that you can discover with the Cluny Museum Paris Tickets are the tapestries of the story of Saint Étienne. There are a series of 12 tapestries depicting his life, martyrdom and posthumous miracles in the Cluny Museum, divided into 23 scenes. The tapestries were commissioned by the bishop Jean III Baillet.
You cannot miss out on the 6 tapestries of the Lady and the Unicorn when you visit the Cluny Museum. Dating back to the 1500s, these tapestries represent the five senses, and are located against a beautiful red backdrop. The wall hanging was acquired by the museum in 1882, and is said to be one of the greatest masterpieces of western art.
Your Cluny Museum Tickets also give you an opportunity to see column statues like that of The Queen of Sheba. This statue was commissioned by Abbot Suger, and dates back to the year 1140. The sculpture also features prophets and kings from the Old Testament, before it was destroyed in 1771. What remains of the sculpture today is the head of the Queen of Sheba, her braided hair and a crown decorated with cabochons.
One of the most majestic pieces of work in the museum is the Saint Landry Pillar, which represents the elements of Gallo-Roman votive architecture. It is made of marble and dates back to the 12th century. The pillar was originally part of the church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains in Cluny, Burgundy. It was brought to the Cluny Museum in 1833.
History of Cluny Museum
Using the Cluny Museum Paris Tickets, you can learn about the history of the museum, the founding of which is related to the Du Sommerard family. The chief advisor to the Courts of Accounts, Alexandre Du Sommerard was one of the first people who showed his interest in the artefacts of the medieval era, sometime during the early 19th century. It was then that he amassed a collection of art from the Middle Ages and moved it into a townhouse, called Hôtel de Cluny, in 1832. After his death, the house was acquired by the government in 1843.
During the 1830s, architect Albert Lenoir proposed the building of a museum of French art or national antiquities within the Hôtel de Cluny and the Palais des Thermes. He was also in charge of restoring the thermal baths that were given by the state of Paris to Hôtel de Cluny in 1843. He went on to discover more antiquities and ancient buildings and restored them, while also adding them to the hotel later on.
When learning about the history of the museum with the Cluny Museum Tickets, you can also find out how it was created. The museum was placed under the aegis of the Commission of Historic Monuments. It covers the history of art from antiquity all the way to the renaissance period. After the leadership of the museum was given to Edmond Du Sommerard, he went on to expand the collection from the Apostles and stained glass from the Sainte-Chapelle, to other major masterpieces, including the Golden Rose, the antependium from the treasury of Basel cathedral, the Lady and the Unicorn, The Life of the Nobles and The Legend of Saint Étienne wall-hangings, etc.
After WWII, the museum underwent many transformations and developments, and went on to house more than 20,000 different artefacts. The ancient works were displayed in the Frigidarium of the thermal baths, while the medieval era pieces were displayed according to their themes, which were inspired by Étienne Boileau’s Livre des métiers, written at the end of the reign of Saint Louis.
Plan Your Visit to Cluny Museum
- Opening Hours:
- Location:
- Best Time to Visit:
09:30 a.m. to 06:15 p.m. (Closed on Monday)It is important to note that the Cluny Museum remains closed on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th as well.
The Cluny Museum is located at: 28 Rue du Sommerard, 75005 Paris, France
The best time to visit the Cluny Museum in Paris is between 12:00 p.m. and 02:00 p.m., or after 03:30 p.m., which is when the museum remains relatively less crowded, and a lot quieter. You must also try to come to the museum on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, since the rest of the days are mostly crowded with a lot of school students and tourists.
- By Metro:
You can take a metro to the Métro Cluny-La Sorbonne station, the Saint-Michel or Odéon station, all of which are located in close proximity to the museum.
- By Bus:
Bus numbers 21, 27, 38, 47, 63, 86 and 87 ply on the route to the Cluny Museum every day from different parts of Paris.
- By RER:
You can also avail a ride on the RER. Simply avail a ride on the Line C RER to Saint-Michel, or the Line B RER from Cluny to La Sorbonne to get to the museum.
- By Vélib:
You can get off at the Sommerard, Saint-Jacques, Sorbonne or Écoles stations and then walk to the museum.
FAQ's of Cluny Museum
Why is the Musee Cluny famous?
Musee Cluny is famous for being one of the largest and most important museums of medieval art in the whole world. It is here where you can find a collection of more than 23,000 artefacts belonging from the Middle Ages to the 16th century. You can also come across magnificent artefacts such as the Golden Rose, the statue of Adam, the Queen of Sheba as well as the Gallo-Roman baths, making the museum an amazing place to explore.
Is Cluny Museum - National Museum of the Middle Ages worth visiting?
Yes, the Cluny Museum - National Museum of the Middle Ages is definitely worth visiting. This is because of the vast array of artifacts it has on display. These artifacts span a wide range of history, from the early Middle Ages up to the present day. The museum also has a wide variety of interactive exhibits, which make it a great place to learn about the history of the Middle Ages.
How do I get tickets for the Cluny Museum?
You can get Cluny Museum Tickets online from our website. By booking your tickets online, you can avail several added benefits and inclusions during your visit, whilst also saving your time, energy and money.
How long do you need at the Cluny Museum?
You need anywhere between 2 to 3 hours at the Cluny Museum.
What is the best time to visit the Cluny Museum?
The best time to visit the Cluny Museum is during the quieter, less crowded hours here, between 12:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m., or after 03:30 p.m.
What is the best way to book tickets for the Cluny Museum?
The best way to book Cluny Museum Tickets is to book them online, in advance, since that will help you to secure your visit to this popular attraction.
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