Hôtel de Cluny, Medieval private mansion in Latin Quarter, Paris, France.
The Hôtel de Cluny is a late medieval private mansion in Paris's Latin Quarter that blends Gothic architecture with early Renaissance elements. Its exterior displays characteristic features such as pointed arches, elaborate stone carvings, and decorative turrets, while Roman bath remains from antiquity are visible inside.
It was built between 1485 and 1510 under Jacques d'Amboise and incorporated the remains of Roman baths that Cluny Abbey had acquired in 1340. This combination of ancient foundations and medieval construction demonstrates how different historical periods were layered within the same structure.
It houses the National Museum of Medieval Art with around 23,000 objects, including the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series. Visitors can observe how medieval craftsmanship and luxury goods reflected the interests and beliefs of that era.
The mansion sits near Sorbonne University and offers guided visits in multiple languages. The spaces are accessible for people with reduced mobility, and its central location makes it easy to combine with other nearby attractions.
Two medieval spiral staircases survive in the building, with the main one featuring intricately carved stone balustrades and vaulted ceilings. These stairs reveal how essential vertical circulation and crafted details were to the design of such residences.
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