Exploring the Middle Ages at the Musee National du Moyen Age, Paris

Paris, like many European cities, is bursting at the seams with museums and galleries. Admittedly, I struggle to justify spending time indoors looking at ancient artefacts from Egypt, for example, when I’m in Paris. As fascinating as they are, how can I learn about Paris and experience the culture when I’m looking at mummies?

Generally, my museum count is fairly low. There are some that beautifully reflect the history of the city they live in and Musee de Moyen Age in Paris is one of them.

Translating to Museum of the Middle Ages, the museum is relatively small compared to mammoths such as the Louvre, so you can see almost everything without reaching exhaustion.

It is full of beautiful tapestries, sculpture, ancient books and instruments, maps and even ancient relics that once would have started wars. Medieval jewellery, the original stone heads of the kings that were on the Notre Dame, which have since been replaced, swords and more.

I love the jewel-encrusted books, crowns, jewellery and ornaments. It even has the enormous tapestries of The Lady and The Unicorn. It was a dark room and we weren’t allowed flash, so it photographed horribly but it was so amazing to see it in person. My mum received a present wrapped in paper that was a print of the tapestries when I was a baby, and held onto the paper because she thought it was so beautiful!

My favourite history museum in Paris by far!

NEED TO KNOW

What: Musee National du Moyen Age

Where: 6 Place Paul Painlevé 75005 Paris -it’s near the Sorbonne

Who: History lovers! Anyone with an interest in Paris

Why: Fantastic, well-curated collection of medieval artefacts.

Time: Two hours should be enough.

P: +33 1 53 73 78 16

Hours: Every day 9:15-5:45, except closed Tuesdays.