Medieval Rooms in Cluny

To really see a neat little medieval town, try renting medieval rooms in a cool little town in Burgundy France between Dijon and Lyon, called Cluny. It has a famous Benedictine abbey, founded in 910. The town walls will be one of the first things you will see. Built in the medieval period they have defense towers topped with pointed roofs. It is a slow paced, quiet town where surely you will be able to find hotel medieval rooms to stay in, for the evening. Cluny Abbey used to be the largest church in the Christian world until St. Peters in Rome was built.

Start your visit at the square, in front of the abbey. The abbey was completed in the 12th century. This Benedictine abbey, founded in 910, was the mother house for over 1000 monasteries. Unfortunately the buildings fell into disuse after the 13th century and much of the stone was taken for building at the time of the French revolution in the 18th century.

Today only 10% of the original abbey is standing. This is the southern bell tower of the main building and some sections built between the middle ages and the French Revolution. Finding a hotel with a rooms styled as medieval rooms, nearby, would be ideal for the medieval or history buff.

A film entitled Major Ecclesia shows a digital reconstruction of what the original abbey may have looked like in the 1200s. Try, if you can to see this film before going to Cluny.

In Cluny it is also a good idea to visit the Art and Archeology Museum housed in the opulent Jean de Bourbon palace, next to the abbey. Medieval sculptors are represented in this museum. As well, a traveler renting a nearby styled medieval room will be able to visit The National Stud. This is where Napoleon bred horses for the needs of his military. This center is located near the abbey as well. It has fabulous 19th century stables, and horses are still resident there.

Cluny was a prosperous market town in the 10th and 11th century. Impressive Romanesque houses adorn the streets. Climb the 121 steps of the Tour des Fromages, or “cheese tower”, for an impressive view.

In Cluny, take a quiet walk through authentic villages. See the Byzantine frescos at the Chapelle des Moines or the castle at Cormatin. Don’t forget the Château de Cormatin built early 17th century. The Aze caves are near also, as are the Blanot and Grottes de Blanot caves.

The hotel Sully Saint Germain on the left bank has medieval rooms that you may find pleasing.