Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge

Mission & Vision

The Musée de Cluny – National Museum of the Middles Ages was created in 1843 to ensure the conservation and presentation of the historic buildings that make up the museum and the national collections of works of art that it houses. Home to the largest collection of medieval art in Europe, the Musée de Cluny preserves more than 24,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, stained-glass, tapestries, and precious objects that reflect the richness and diversity of the medieval period. Among its treasures is The Lady and the Unicorn, one of the most celebrated tapestry series in the world. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, and research, the Musée de Cluny bridges past and present, bringing the Middle Ages to life for today’s audiences.

Actions Led

Following the completion of major renovations in 2022, the Musée de Cluny continues to enhance the visitor experience and preserve its exceptional heritage. Between 2026 and 2028, the museum will pursue several major initiatives:

• Recreating the historic garden of the Abbots of Cluny: this project will restore the original perimeter of the Hôtel de Cluny’s medieval garden, transforming it into an ornamental garden typical of an hôtel particulier from the late Middle Ages. Fully integrated into the visitor circuit, the garden will offer new perspectives on the museum’s architecture and history.
• Presenting new exhibitions: through partnerships with leading international museums, upcoming exhibitions will explore how the Middle Ages have inspired art and culture over time. Highlights include exhibitions on unicorns, Nicolas Flamel and alchemy, “Medievalism” in modern imagination, and the Carlo Micheli (1809-1898)’s collection in collaboration with the Mayer van der Bergh Museum (Antwerp). This rich program of exhibitions is accompanied by scholarly catalogs, lectures, and inclusive programming for all audiences.
• Developing the “Notre-Dame” room: this gallery presents the cathedral’s sculpted fragments, including the celebrated kings’ heads. The project will add new display cases, update interpretive tools, and continue restoration work to give visitors a deeper understanding of Notre-Dame’s medieval sculptures.
• Preserving and enriching the collections: annual campaigns will fund the restoration and conservation of the museum’s 24,000 works and support new acquisitions—such as rare medieval sculptures and tapestries—to ensure the collection’s continued growth and accessibility for future generations.

Through these initiatives, the Musée de Cluny advances its mission of safeguarding and sharing the treasures of the Middle Ages while creating a more engaging and accessible experience for all visitors.

Learn more about the Musée de Cluny’s 2026–2028 initiatives and how to support them here.

Projects That U.S. Donors Can Support

Make a tax-deductible donation to the Musée de Cluny – National Museum of the Middles Ages thanks to Friends of Fondation de France to support the following projects:

• The preservation and restoration of the historic buildings, garden and works of art
• The organization of exhibitions,
• The development of the cultural and educational offering through the acquisition of new art works and the development of a new website.

Learn more through our blog article published on October 16, 2023 and November 22, 2024.