Royal Senlis: 2,000 years of history and architecture
©P.Lobgeois /
The royal town of Senlis
Surrounded by the Oise forests, Senlis reveals an exceptional architectural and cultural heritage.
Originally a fortified Gallo-Roman town, then the birthplace of the Capetian dynasty, Senlis would continue to grow over the centuries behind its protective outer walls. The medieval town centre has been wonderfully preserved. Its picturesque alleyways reveal to visitors: the remains of the royal castle, where Hugh Capet was elected to the French throne in 987 and where the Kings of France would stay up until Henry IV; the Saint-Maurice Priory, built next to the royal palace during the 13th century upon the request of King Saint Louis; Notre-Dame Cathedral (12th-16th centuries), marked by four centuries of evolving Gothic art; and Saint-Frambourg Chapel, built around 1170 by Queen Adélaïde, with its stained-glass windows designed by Miró.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the town's notables constructed remarkable townhouses fronted by monumental gates.
Finally, Senlis is home to several museums with one-of-a-kind collections, in particular the Spahi Museum and the Hunting Museum.
A few kilometres away lies the estate of the Royal Abbey of Chaalis. The abbey church's rose garden, ruins and chapel all add to the attractiveness of the Jacquemart-André Museum.
Take a week-end to discover Senlis!
Senlis Tourist Office
Place du Parvis Notre-Dame BP80024
60302 Senlis Cedex
Tel: +33 (0)3 44 53 06 40
We also recommend...
- Beauvais<Oise<Picardy: a land of cathedrals
- Château de Troissereux and its park, only 15 mins from the airport
- The Barge- and Boatmen Museum, 1 hour from the Beauvais Airport
- Memorial tourism
- Chantilly, princes' city and equine capital
- Compiègne, imperial and historic city
- Pierrefonds and its feudal castle
