Hotel de Cluny

Constantius Chlorus, who resided in Gaul from 292 to 306 A. D., built his palace on the left bank of the Seine, where the Hotel de Cluny now stands. The royal domain extended from the river up the hillside to where the Pantheon now stands, and the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre excavated in tiers have also been found here. This Roman Palace, with all its accessories for Roman luxury, was occupied by Julian Caesar, "Military Governor" of Gaul, for three years; and here, in 360, he was proclaimed Emperor of Rome. He was the nephew of Constantine the Great, and is known in history as "Julian, the Apostate," from his effort to re-establish the worship of the heathen gods, while at the same time he protected the Christians from persecution. There is something pathetic in Julian's championship of an expiring polytheism; and this, perhaps, more than the history of his checkered life and his great talents, has given an interest to his brief rule as Emperor of Rome (361-363), and to every place with which his name is associated. This Palace of the Caesars was also the residence of the early Frankish kings. Clovis, the Frank, founder of the kingdom of France (481), resided here. He defeated the Roman Governor of Gaul and took possession of his palace. Between Clovis and Hugh Capet (987), who for greater security resided on the island, the "Old Palace," as it was called, suffering from the various raids of the Teutouic tribes and from fire, at last fell into ruins. Out of the ruins the present Hotel de Cluny was erected by the Abbot of Cluny, between 1480 and 1501. This is now one of the most interesting old mansions in Paris. After long years of historic associations it has been converted into an interesting Museum of Antiquities. All that remains of the Roman Palace is Le Therme, or the Baths, a large hall of massive masonry (65x45x54). The Aqueduct bringing the water to the Palace can be traced; also the pipes leading the waste water into the river. All the Roman antiquities which have been dug up in Paris are to be found in the Musee de Cluny, and many of the most valuable relics of Mediaeval times. The Boulevard St. Michel follows the line of the Roman road that led to this Palace of the Caesars.