Musee de Cluny (National Museum of the Middle Ages), Paris

The Musée de Cluny, recognized as France's "National Museum of the Middle Ages," is renowned for its impressive collection of medieval treasures. The building was raised over the remains of a Roman bath and was initially intended to be the private residence of Jacques d'Amboise, the wealthy abbot of Cluny Abbey in the 15th century. Another noteworthy inhabitant was Mary Tudor, widow of Louis XII.

In 1833, Alexandre du Sommerard, an art enthusiast who was captivated by medieval artifacts and owned a remarkable collection of such objects as well as Renaissance period pieces, rented the Cluny. Prior to his death in 1842, Sommerard bequeathed his entire estate to the French people. A year later, the building was transformed into a museum.

The Musée de Cluny boasts a finest collection of medieval European tapestries, including the original "Lady and the Unicorn" series made of wool and silk. Designed by French artists and woven in 1485-1500 in Flanders, this series comprises six scenes and covers the walls of an entire room, bringing to life the romance of the age of chivalry. Each scene features a beautiful lady, a unicorn, and a lion, while the background is replete with woodland creatures, plants, and flowers that conjure an enchanted landscape. Five of the scenes represent the five senses: sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound. The sixth scene is particularly intriguing and exquisite, featuring a banner that reads "To my only desire" and depicting the lady presenting a necklace to a case held by a servant.

The museum also showcases numerous early medieval sculptures dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries, as well as works made of gold, ivory, antique furnishings, and manuscripts. Beneath the museum lies the remains of the ancient Roman baths that were destroyed during the Barbarian invasions in the 3rd century. The most well-preserved section of the ruins is the cold water bath. Additionally, the "Pillar of the Boatmen" is believed to be the oldest sculpture in Paris, dating back to the 1st century AD.

All of the medieval artifacts are showcased beautifully with good English explanations, and visitors can opt to use an audio guide.