If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 34

Musée de Cluny, ca 1900

The Musée de Cluny shown on this postcard is a place we hope to visit while in Paris. Since it is supposed to be located near our hotel it should be within walking distance. I was told by friends that it is requisite to get lost in Paris at least once and because I do have a habit of getting lost this may prove to be yet another adventure that goes awry.

Musée de Cluny was built in 1334 on the partial remains of third century Gallo-Roman baths it was at that time the town house or hotel for the abbots of Cluny. It was then rebuilt in 1485-1510 and is currently supposed to be the best example of medieval civic architecture in Paris. It combines both Gothic and Renaissance elements. The amazing 15th century Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are on display here. Since Mrs. Gimlet has her own tapestry stand and does beautiful embroidery this museum is one of the things on our free time must see list.

Trivia facts: Mary Tudor the sister of Henry VIII and widow of Louis XII lived here. Several papal nuncios lived here at different times during the 17th century. Charles Messier used it as an observatory. At one time it was owned by a physician who used the Flamboyant chapel on the first floor as a dissection room. In 1833 Alexandre du Sommerard moved here and installed his large collection of medieval and Renaissance objects. After his death the collection was purchased by the state and the building opened as a museum in 1843.

For more see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musée_de_Cluny