The Ancien Hôtel des Abbés de Cluny, rue de Cluny, was originally built for Pierre de Calus vicar of Cluny-en-Bourgogne, in 1340. It was rebuilt, in its present style, between 1470 and 1510.

In 1833 Alexandre du Sommerard, an art collector, lived in the Hôtel, and brought in his Medieval and Renaissance collections. When he died in 1842 the State bought the Hôtel and the collections : a museum was opened, in 1844.

A striking example of the flamboyant gothic style, the Hôtel de Cluny is the only XVth century private mansion left in Paris, except for the Hôtel de Sens. Thirty four rooms (old stained glass), are open to the public who may see Medieval and Renaissance paintings, sculptures, tapestries, laces, clothes, jewellery, bronze, enamel, ivory, china, ironmongery arms, etc. A visit should be paid to the Gallo-Roman Thermal baths which stood, there before the Hotel was built.