Royal Medieval Paris: From Merovingian to Valois

Arrive in Paris, settle into the hotel and have a quick lunch. ST GERMAIN DES PRES - A chance to visit the oldest church in Paris, founded originally as part of a monastery by the 6th-century Frankish king Childebert I . The church that occupies the site today comprises a mid 11th-century nave, much restored, and an early Gothic east end. MUSEE DE CLUNY – An unparalleled collection of medieval artefacts housed in the remains of a Gallo-Roman bath complex and the 15th-century town house of the abbots of the Burgundian monastery of Cluny. This afternoon we will concentrate on Romanesque sculpture, including capitals from St Germain des Pres and heads of the kings from the Royal Gallery of Notre Dame, small-scale precious arts and consider the Basle Golden Altar Frontal, commissioned by an 11th-century Holy Roman Emperor.

THE LOUVRE – a day-long visit focusing on important French Gothic patrons and their commissions, including Louis IX, Queen Jeanne d’Evreux, Charles V and Jean, duc de Berry. We will begin the morning session by walking through the foundations of Charles V’s late 14th-century, Louvre palace-fortress and then continue to the Medieval Objets d’Art gallery in the Richelieu Wing to look at ivory carvings and goldsmiths’ work. In the afternoon we will move to the Medieval French Painting Gallery to study works such as the panel portrait of Jean le Bon and the Parement de Narbonne, commissioned by Charles V and his wife Jeanne de Bourbon.

AM ROYAL ABBEY OF ST DENIS – a visit by Metro to the place where Denis, the first bishop of Paris was buried in the 1st century AD and where Gothic architecture was born in the 1140s, under the patronage of Abbot Suger. We will look at the reconstructed portals and bronze doors that Suger commissioned for the new West end, as well as the architectural design and stained glass windows of his choir. The Rayonnant nave and transepts of the abbey and various important royal tombs will also be discussed. PM NOTRE DAME – visit to the cathedral of Paris, begun in 1163 by Maurice de Sully, bishop of Paris and remodelled extensively during the 13th century to keep abreast of architectural developments elsewhere. It provides a fascinating example of the experimental approach to Early Gothic style and an opportunity to think about considerations that governed the iconography of Gothic portal sculpture. SAINTE CHAPELLE – the royal palace chapel commissioned by Louis IX in 1238 to house the relic of the Crown of Thorns that he had procured from his cousin in Constantinople. It constitutes the finest example of the Rayonnant style of Gothic architecture that developed in Paris during the 1230s. The magnificent stained glass windows carry evidence of Louis’ theory of kingship in their choice of subject matter.

AM ST SEVERIN – a rarely visited Parisian church with a broad double ambulatory which provides a majestic example of the Flamboyant style of Gothic architecture, which emerged during the 15th-century. MUSEE DE CLUNY – a return visit to concentrate on the rich Gothic collections, including such treasures as the Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries, the Sainte Chapelle reliquary, a fine collection of medieval jewels, Calendars from two Books of Hours and the Thornham Parva altar frontal. We will also look at the abbot of Cluny’s exquisite Flamboyant chapel. PM FREE TIME – before returning to the hotel, Gare du Nord and Eurostar.