Going Medieval

So yesterday's stab at culture was to Cluny - the Museum of the Middle Ages. I think the children expected to see dungeon racks and more knight stuff. Joshua pointed out that it should be called the Museum of the Art of the Middle Ages...Rachel pointed out that all the statues were of saints. At least she can now recognize St. James with his scallop shells.
The Museum itself is incredibly lovely, an oft-missed stop for visitors. The pieces have a lot of room to breathe in this former abbey/roman bathhouse. The light is sublime. The big draw are the chicks with unicorns, as I call them. I was really surprised at how lovely they are. They are stretched across a round room with plenty of space for adoration. I did not know (having not paid attention in unicorn studies 101) that they are a contemplation of the 5 senses + compassion/love.
My great interest is from a little earlier time: the pillar of Nautes with the image of Cernunnos, a guardian of the underworld. This was discovered in 1710 in the foundations of Notre Dame. Those crazy Celts.

We had a picnic in the garden where a lot people seem to pop in for lunch - it rather reminded me of finding a secret alcove garden in DC, a little oasis. Our afternoon included, as the children will never let me forget, getting coffee and hot chocolate (I thought I had ordered ice cream, it seemed VERY clear to me) and ended up with a walk around our neighborhood. Some guys were actually playing boules in the court on Richard Lenoir. It seemed like something out of my french 101 book. What a surprise.