Unicorn Forest

In September 2000, the National Museum of the Middle Ages introduced a new face to its visitors by surrounding Cluny Abbey with gardens inspired by the medieval collections in the Museum.

Neither pastiche nor identical reproduction, these modern gardens inpired by the Middle Ages, created by Eric Ossart and Arnaud Maurières, grow over a single 5000 m² lot as a result of removing the iron gates and opening up a path to the rue Du Sommerard.

From the Saint-Michel and Saint-Germain boulevards, the vistor strolls through a succcession of spaces to gain access to the Museum.

The Celestial Garden

The Unicorn Forest, which harkens to the fears felt by medieval man faced with the obscure forces of nature, circles the small clearing and the children's glade. Animals, having wandered from the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry, left their prints in the flagstones crossing this enclosure and children can track some of them, such as those left by the rabbit, the fox, the lion and even the unicorn.

The terrasse recalls domesticated nature and the various facets of the medieval garden. It is organised into simple geometric shapes and the plants are grouped according to their use in the Middle Ages :
- the ménagier, or kitchen garden, contains the most popular "kettle" vegetables: cabbages, onions, chives, etc.
- the simple traditional medecines garden supplies nine essential herbs including sage, rue, - The inner courtyard, a vast meadow of flowers, is enhanced by a fountain.
The deep path, lined with wallflowers, valerian, and Christmas roses, brings back the ancient trails on Mount Sainte-Geneviève.

The carpet of a thousand flowers, or mille fleurs , turning towards the Museum, invites the guest to enter and discover the tapestries which inspired it. Fragrant plants such as honeysuckle and jasmine perfume the Museum's courtyard.

The creation of the Museum gardens, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Communication/ French Museum Branch, was made possible by the patronage of Mr. Michel David-Weill and the partnership of the City of Paris, Mission 2000 in France, the Caisse des dépôts et consignations, Alcatel and Sophia.