Paris - Museum of the Middle Ages

Entrance to the museum

During my visit last weekend to Paris I finally went to the Musee national du Moyen Age (formerly known as Musee Cluny).  It is just a stone throw from Notre Dame and my favourate little cafe, and contains the famous 15th century tapestries depicting the Lady and the Unicorn.  I am quite fond of tapestries, and particularly of the Lady & Unicorn ones, since I have copies of them in my dining room.

These tapestries have been copied lots of times, with varying degrees of success.  I have two old copies from the 1950 I think, and one brand new one made in Brussels (still the centre of tapestry weaving).  I prefer the older ones, they are made of wool and a bit coarser than the new one, which is made of cotton.  The new one is finer and picks out more details, but the older ones have more atmosphere, I think. The originals in the museum are halfway between my new one and older ones.

I tried to take photos of the original tapestries in the museum, but since I wasn't allowed to use the flash the photos turned out badly.  But never mind - I photographed my own for your delectation!  See below ...

I always am amazed at plants in unexpected places!

After the museum, which contained all sorts of medieval artifacts, aside from its magnificent collection of tapestries, we had lunch at the cafe and meandered around the centre, as per usual.  We even nipped over to the Christmas Market in the Champs Elysee, but there were so many tourists that we fled.  I mainly went there to find some special French/German sweet only available at Christmas time, oh well, maybe next year.

On the way to the Champs Elysee we saw these mimes, copying Churchill,I think....

Notre Dame with autumn coloured trees

Now then, ready for my very own tapestries?

This is the new one

One of the older ones

New and old separated by a bureau bookcase

I must have my little joke - hanging near the tapestries.  Excuse the glare!

Close up 1

Close up 2

Details of the old tapestry upstairs

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and well!

Just a quick up-date from DB-Hausen

I have not posted for a while, there have been too many things I needed to attend to.  However things have slowed down a bit now, so I am planning to start proper posts again soon.

I am keenly aware of having marooned a dozen tiny gliders on the eve of their escape, and am going to get back to them well before Christmas, I hope.  I also plan a few special posts on scarves, because they have been a great consolation to me in my recent travails.

And of course the Christmas season is about to start! I have booked a visit with my good friend P to the Dennis Severs' House, and they very kindly sent me additional photos which deserve a post of their own.  I also have a trip to Paris lined up, and shall hopefully spot-check the Christmas Markets, as well as visit the Museum that houses the famous Unicorn tapestries -I have several copies hanging in my dining room and am keen to see the originals, at long last!

The garden needs further attention as well, I had some major slashing before my recent tribulations but much has grown back and I will have to go out there and fight once more.  At least the frogs have hopped it, and the baby birds have flown away, so at least I won't get any flak for entering the wilderness this time.

So stay tuned for my next post, which will probably be 'Scarf-games for Insomniacs'.  If that doesn't get your attention nothing will!

Pip pip tally ho and let's go out and boogie! Literally - I have a scarf called Boogie Woogie ....