Cluny Museum -Musée de Cluny
 Museum of the Middle Ages by Pixabay
Also known as the National Museum of the Middle Ages -Cluny thermal baths and Mansion, the Cluny Museum houses gothic and renaissance artworks, as well as Roman baths that date back to the third century. The most notable of the artworks are the set of six tapestries called The Lady and the Unicorn, which is considered one of the greatest works of medieval art in Europe. Five of the tapestries depict the human senses of taste, hearing, sight, smell, and touch, while the sixth contains the words "À mon seul désir". The meaning of the phrase is unclear, though it is thought to translate to “To my only desire.” The artist of the tapestries is unknown.
The museum itself is seen as the most outstanding example of civic architecture still in existence. It was used starting in 1334 as the town hall of the abbots of Cluny. In 1771, Charles Messier made history when he used the tower of the building to observe the night sky, cataloguing the celestial objects of the universe and publishing the groundbreaking work as Messier Catalogue. Hôtel de Cluny was constructed over Gallo-Roman Baths from the third century. It is also famous for its large collection of medieval and Renaissance items on display. |
Take Paris Home With These Great Amazon Products.      |
