Museum
Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie de Cluny
CLUNY 
A town full of gems
The charm, history and must-dos of Cluny
Cluny isn't just about an abbey. It's also a medieval town that's well worth stopping to visit. Stroll in the picturesque little streets of the monastic village for a leap into the past. If you'd like to know more about the site's truly remarkable history, join a guided tour or download the CluneTour app.
To help you get the most from your experience, we've selected for you the best places in Cluny to eat out or spend the night.
The power of beauty...
A walk in the medieval centre
Beyond the walls of the abbey founded in 910, Cluny is an abbey town of unparalleled medieval wealth. The historic town of Cluny is organised around 3 districts and a number of monuments dating mostly from the Middle Ages.
The best way to explore this extraordinary architectural ensemble is on foot, strolling through the little streets that simply ooze with charm. Architecture enthusiasts will love the town centre where many Romanesque houses still remain along with their elegant, superbly decorated façades.
Did you know? The town of Cluny boasts the second-highest concentration of Romanesque architecture in Europe, just behind Venice! Unbeatable!
Visiting the town of Cluny: 2 options to choose from
Guided tours
Spend 1½ hours in the company of a guide, exploring the hidden treasures and best-kept secrets of the medieval town.
Guided tour info and bookings
Traditional tour
To be sure you miss nothing of the abbey town, follow the trail of bronze nails on the ground, the information panels and the 3 discovery itineraries provided by the tourist office.
Traditional tour
Nicknamed "the second Rome"
Cluny Abbey, flagship of the Middle Ages
Only vestiges remain of this former flagship of Christianity that maintained an influence across Europe for more than 4 centuries. Stone vestiges that are nonetheless spectacular, bearing witness to the abbey's important spiritual and cultural history. Inside, various digital devices help visitors learn more about the site and plunge them right into the past.
On the way...
3 iconic, must-see sites
- The art and archaeology museum: Installed in an elegant 15th-century palace built by Jean de Bourbon (42nd abbot of Cluny), it is home to multiple vestiges and reminders of the glorious Clunic era.
- The national stud: Sometimes nicknamed the "town of the horse", Cluny is home to a 200 year-old national stud farm. Established under Napoleon, this site has plenty of appeal, thanks to the shows with performing horses and other entertainment, as well as its beautiful stallions.
- The Cheese Tower: Climb the 120 steps to the top of the tower to admire a fantastic panoramic view over the town's heritage features and the rolling countryside that surrounds it.
A bucolic experience
Nature and gardens of Cluny
Cluny invites visitors to recharge their batteries on a spiritual journey that continues outside its walls, in the lovely parks and gardens. Enjoy!
A place to stay in Cluny? Here's our selection
- Hôtel du Commerce: A family-run establishment that ticks all the boxes for a successful stay, with its modern decor, reasonable room rates and a choice location!
- Aux Portes d'Honneur guestrooms: A beautiful 18th-century house renovated with contrasting materials and colours in a clever mix of old and new.
- La Pierre Folle guestrooms: An old farm conversion, tastefully renovated with the respectful use of sustainable raw materials (wood, whitewash, terracotta)
Our recommendations for eating out in Cluny
- Le Potin Gourmand: The perfect combination of beautiful setting and semi-gourmet menu.
- La Halte de l'Abbaye: traditional restaurant at lunchtime, tapas bar in the evening and, to complete the picture, a lovely terrace with a direct view of the abbey.
- Le Forum: quite simply the best of Italian cuisine, in a bucolic atmosphere, especially in the outdoor area in summer.
All restaurants in Cluny
Fancy exploring the surrounding area?
Pop to South Burgundy!
Weekend in South Burgundy
Enjoy the heady fragrance and soft light of our region of South Burgundy...
Cheerful landscapes with beautiful hills invite you to explore between vineyards, superb churches, Romanesque chapels and, the icing on the cake, the abbeys of Cluny and Tournus.
Between France and Switzerland
Hiking on the Via Cluny...
...a 550-km spiritual journey on foot
Much more than just a hiking trail, the Via Cluny is an invitation to follow a spiritual path. On a long-distance trek or a one-day loop itinerary, you'll alternate between the wonders of nature, architectural gems and a cultural heritage left by the Clunic monks.
Burgundy has many more surprises in store...
A journey into the past Fontenay Abbey: nature, heritage and silence
Welcome to an adventure from the Middle Ages! Guédelon medieval worksite
Risen from the ashes Bibracte, a unique experience
Lavish decoration and setting The Château de Cormatin: a Renaissance treasure
