Sens and its Synodal palace
Gateway to Burgundy

On the edge of the Orléanais, Champagne and Île-de-France, Sens is the northern gateway to Burgundy. This old Gallic town, once capital of Christendom, stands in the shadow of France's first Gothic cathedral. Its boulevards and parks are perfect for a walk.

In the time of the Archbishops

Sens owes its name to the Gallic Senone people who captured Rome well before the Romans invaded Gaul.

In the Middle Ages Sens was the major town of a vast province including the dioceses of Chartres, Paris, Auxerre, Meaux, Orléans...

The Wars of Religion and the creation of an archdiocese in Paris in 1622 forced Sens into the background.

A cathedral and its treasure

• The cathedral was built in the 12th century. The town was visited by Pope Alexander III and Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. King Louis IX and Marguerite of Provence were married in the cathedral. This splendid period left a remarkable heritage.

• The cathedral of St Etienne has 13th and 17th century stained glass windows. Built at the time of King Philippe Auguste, it is the first Gothic cathedral..
• The old archbishop's palace now houses the town's museums. The cathedral treasure, displayed in what was the archbishops' private chapel, is one of the richest in France.
• The synodal palace, built in the reign of Louis IX, was restored in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc. Its old dungeons have medieval graffiti on their walls.
 

Sens - parks and gardens

The old ramparts around Sens now afford some pleasant walks. Between town and country, the Moulin à Tan arboretum has tropical greenhouses, rose gardens and animal enclosures.

At "La Madeleine", Patrick Gauthier creates gourmet bouquets of fresh produce from Sens market. This Michelin 2 star restaurant could be your first delicious taste of Burgundian cuisine!

Practical information

Sens Tourist Information office offers special tours covering many historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the Third Republic.

Address details

Office de tourisme de Sens
Place Jean Jaurès
89100 Sens
Tel. : +33 (0)3 86 65 19 49
E-mail : otsi.sens@wanadoo.fr
http://www.office-de-tourisme-sens.com

Opening times

Sens Tourist Information office is open:
 - September to June, 9.30am-12.30pm & 2-6pm
 - July and August, de 9.30am-1pm & 2-6.30pm

Sundays and bank holidays:
 - May to October, 10.30 am-1pm & 2-4.30pm

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