Monday, March 2, 2009

My Favorite Museum

Everyone has their favorite Paris museum. For many people, it's the Louvre. I like that one a lot and visit it a couple of times on every trip. Others really prefer the Musee d'Orsay and its wonderful collection of Impressionist art. I like that one as well. On my last visit to Paris, I spent an afternoon at the new Musee Quai du Branly...also an awesome museum. But if I had to name my very favorite museum it would be the Musee de Moyen Age, better known as the Cluny Museum. I've posted a picture of some of the detail of the exterior of the museum. I think it's amazing that so much beauty was incorporated into the design of this structure. The building was completed in 1364 and was originally the 'town house' for the bishops of Cluny; a place for them to stay when they journeyed to Paris for meetings. This structure was built on the 3rd century ruins of Gallo-Roman baths which can still be seen in the basement of the building. On one visit I was privileged to view some gorgeous illuminated manuscripts of the Book of Hours. Every visit, though, I stand in awe in front of the "Lady and the Unicorn" tapestry, one of my favorite works of art. This museum stands in the #22 spot on my list of favorite things.

2 comments:

Jientje said...

How about the ones in the Provence?
Have you ever been to the doll's museum in l'Isle sur la Sorgue?
And Maison Drapier in Pernes les Fontaines? It's an old tailor shop and it displays old costumes.
Oooohh, the places I could take you to there ....

Evelyn said...

I have not visited many Provencal museums. Let's see, I've been to the lavender museum in Coustellet, the corkscrew museum, the bread museum, and thru the castle in Loumarin. That's about it. I'm open to suggestions! The Maison Drapier sounds cool!

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