Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge
Quick answer
Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge in Paris, France — the Musée de Cluny opened in 1843 in the late-medieval Hôtel de Cluny, built atop the Gallo-Roman Thermes de Cluny. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:15 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: €12 standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:15 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | €12 standard admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Opening at 9:30 AM on a weekday — the tapestry room is quietest before 11 AM. |
| Getting there | Metro: Cluny–La Sorbonne (Line 10) or Saint-Michel (Line 4) — 3-minute walk |
| Address | 28 Rue du Sommerard, 75005 Paris, France |
| Official website | musee-moyenage.fr |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge known for?
The Musée de Cluny — officially the Musée National du Moyen Âge — is France's national museum of the Middle Ages. It occupies the Hôtel de Cluny, a late-medieval mansion built atop the Gallo-Roman Thermes de Cluny in Paris's Latin Quarter.
The museum's greatest treasure is the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry cycle, six exquisite late-fifteenth-century tapestries discovered in 1844. Other highlights include stained glass from Sainte-Chapelle, ivory carvings, and the frigidarium of the Roman bath complex visible beneath the medieval building.
A major refurbishment completed in 2022 added a contemporary entrance pavilion by Bernard Desmoulin and restored the medieval gardens. The museum reopened with improved circulation and new displays placing the collection in broader European context.
The Latin Quarter setting, steps from the Sorbonne and Luxembourg Gardens, makes Cluny an essential stop for anyone interested in medieval art and Parisian history.
Best for: Medieval Art Lovers · History Enthusiasts · Tapestry and Textile Fans
How long do you need at Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Lady and the Unicorn
📍 Tapestry Room, Round Gallery
Six tapestries depicting a lady, a unicorn, and a lion across the five senses plus a mysterious sixth panel inscribed 'À mon seul désir' (To my only desire).
- 2
Thermes de Cluny
📍 Frigidarium, Ground Floor
The cold bath hall of a Gallo-Roman bathing complex, with vaults rising 14 metres — the largest surviving Roman structure in Paris.
- 3
Stained Glass from Sainte-Chapelle
📍 Upper Galleries
Original panels from Louis IX's Sainte-Chapelle, rescued and preserved when the chapel was restored in the nineteenth century.
- 4
Gold Rose of Basel
📍 Treasury Gallery
An exquisite gold rose presented by Pope John XXII, among the finest examples of medieval goldsmith's work in the collection.
What are the must-see works at Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Lady and the Unicorn, Thermes de Cluny, Stained Glass from Sainte-Chapelle and more.
The Lady and the Unicorn
Unknown Flemish weavers · c. 1500
📍 Tapestry Room, Round Gallery
Six tapestries depicting a lady, a unicorn, and a lion across the five senses plus a mysterious sixth panel inscribed 'À mon seul désir' (To my only desire).
Thermes de Cluny
Roman builders · c. 200 CE
📍 Frigidarium, Ground Floor
The cold bath hall of a Gallo-Roman bathing complex, with vaults rising 14 metres — the largest surviving Roman structure in Paris.
Stained Glass from Sainte-Chapelle
Thirteenth-century Parisian workshops
📍 Upper Galleries
Original panels from Louis IX's Sainte-Chapelle, rescued and preserved when the chapel was restored in the nineteenth century.
Gold Rose of Basel
Sienese goldsmith · 1330
📍 Treasury Gallery
An exquisite gold rose presented by Pope John XXII, among the finest examples of medieval goldsmith's work in the collection.
Collections and highlights
- • Lady and the Unicorn tapestries
- • Gallo-Roman Thermes de Cluny
- • Medieval stained glass
- • Gothic ivory and bone carvings
- • Limoges enamel and metalwork
- • Romanesque and Gothic sculpture
- • Medieval gardens (restored 2022)
- • Manuscripts and liturgical objects
Tips for visiting Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge
- 1.
Best time to visit
Opening at 9:30 AM on a weekday — the tapestry room is quietest before 11 AM.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
The Lady and the Unicorn room is always busy; post-2022 reopening increased overall attendance.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Around €12 standard admission; free first Sunday of the month.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Cafés on Boulevard Saint-Germain; Latin Quarter bistros nearby.
- 5.
Accessibility
New entrance pavilion improves access; Roman frigidarium and some medieval rooms have stairs.
How do you get to Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge?
- metro Cluny–La Sorbonne (Line 10) or Saint-Michel (Line 4) — 3-minute walk
- walk 5 minutes from Luxembourg Gardens; 10 minutes from Notre-Dame
- bus Multiple buses along Boulevard Saint-Michel and Boulevard Saint-Germain
Address: 28 Rue du Sommerard, 75005 Paris, France
Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge: frequently asked questions
Is the Roman bath complex visible?
Yes — the frigidarium can still be entered as part of the visit.
How long does a visit take?
Around 90 minutes is enough to see all the galleries.
How long should I spend at Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge. Our 4-stop route — The Lady and the Unicorn, Thermes de Cluny, Stained Glass from Sainte-Chapelle and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge best known for?
The Musée de Cluny opened in 1843 in the late-medieval Hôtel de Cluny, built atop the Gallo-Roman Thermes de Cluny. A major refurbishment completed in 2022 added a contemporary entrance pavilion. Key highlights include The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry cycle, Gallo-Roman frigidarium, Visigothic crowns from Guarrazar.
How do I get tickets for Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge?
Admission: €12 standard admission. Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://www.musee-moyenage.fr/en/
What does 'À mon seul désir' mean?
The inscription on the sixth Unicorn tapestry is debated — it may mean 'to my only desire' or 'according to my sole will', adding to the cycle's mystery.
Has the museum reopened after renovation?
Yes — the major refurbishment completed in 2022 with a new entrance, restored gardens, and redesigned galleries.
Is Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge open on Mondays?
No — Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:15 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge's opening hours?
Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge is open Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:15 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge free to visit?
No — standard admission is €12 standard admission.
