Musée de Cluny

About the museum

The museum is housed in the Hôtel des abbés de Cluny, one of the rare surviving examples of a medieval secular residence in Paris, next to the remains of the Gallo-Roman baths of Lutetia. After the Revolution the site had been broken up and sold to private owners. In the 1830s the collector Alexandre Du Sommerard installed an apartment there in which he displayed his collection of ancient art.

On his death the state acquired the hôtel and about 1,500 objects in 1843, and the City of Paris transferred the baths and the sculpture depot they housed. The museum opened on March 17, 1844. Under the direction of Edmond Du Sommerard, the collector’s son, the holdings grew considerably, including the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry, and by 1885 they numbered almost 11,000 objects. The museum has been part of the national museums administration since 1907.

Over the 20th century the presentation became more chronological and educational, and the museum specialised in medieval art. It was fully renovated and reopened in 2022 with a new reception building. The collections cover about a thousand years of artistic production, from Late Antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages.

Highlights

• The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry
• Frigidarium of the Gallo-Roman baths of Lutetia
• Sculptures from Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral
• Stained glass from the Sainte-Chapelle
• Chamber of Francis I and the hôtel of the abbots of Cluny
• Café des Amis in the courtyard of the medieval mansion

Permanent exhibitions

• La Dame à la licorne – Famous 15th-century medieval tapestry shown in its own room, the museum’s masterpiece.
• Thermes gallo-romains de Lutèce – Ancient remains, including the frigidarium, a large vaulted hall that houses medieval sculptures.

Founded

1844

Operated by

État – ministère de la Culture (musée national)

Director

Séverine Lepape

Visitors per year

approx. 273,733 (2024)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, for everyone, without booking.

Booking online is recommended but not mandatory. Admission is also free for job seekers, recipients of the RSA (minimum income support) and the ASS (solidarity allowance), teachers with a Pass Éducation, journalists, professional artists, friends of the museum and holders of the Paris Museum Pass. Booked activities entitle the holder to the reduced admission rate. The ticket is valid all day.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entire visit route and the temporary exhibition spaces are wheelchair accessible thanks to elevators and platform lifts. Accessible toilets near the reception building and at the start of the route. Folding seats and wheelchairs are lent free of charge at bag check against ID. Tactile model of the buildings (high contrast, Braille) and tactile plans at the start of the route, tactile lectern in room 5. The companion offers a route in French Sign Language; Acceo system at reception and induction loops for guided tours. Accessible parking spaces: 8 place Paul Painlevé, 51 rue des Écoles and 98 boulevard Saint-Germain.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Guided tours, workshops, dance visits from ages 0–3 and theatrical tours for young audiences. The companion offers routes for children. Strollers are allowed but may be left at the entrance when it is busy. Changing tables in the toilets. Children’s section in the bookshop. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

Taxi ranks: rue Soufflot, Place Saint-Michel and Place Maubert.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Café des Amis in the heart of the route (Tuesday to Sunday 9:30–17:00), with a terrace in the courtyard when the weather allows. Bookshop open access (Tuesday to Sunday 9:30–18:15). Free cloakroom while space is available; suitcases, travel bags and hiking backpacks are not accepted. The medieval-inspired garden is currently closed for safety reasons.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies: not available

Private visits and corporate evenings (dinner in the frigidarium, cocktail in the courtyard, seminar). Reserved for companies and associations; no family events. Events on Mondays all day, or on weekdays before 9:00 and from 18:30.

Plan your visit