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| Sens | ||
| region | Burgundy Franche Comté | |
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| Residents | 26.586 (2018) | |
| height | unknown | |
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| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
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Sens is a french City in the department Yonne, in the Burgundy.
background
Between the wheat fields of the Ile-de-France and the vineyards of Burgundy and Champagne, an hour's drive from Paris, lies the city of Sens on the banks of the Yonne, a city with a prestigious cultural heritage and rich history that is in no way inferior to major metropolises.
The city owes its name to the Gallic tribe of the Senones, who went down in history with the conquest of Rome under the leadership of Brennus around 390 B.C. Caesar and his legions also camped in Sens, which was then called Agedincum.Sens developed became a flourishing Gallo-Roman city, which after various raids carried out by barbarian tribes in the 3rd century, surrounds itself with imposing city walls.
The imperial capital of the extensive province "maxima senonia" remained a large archbishopric metropolis in the Middle Ages, which included the dioceses of Chartres, Auxerre, Meaux, Paris, Orléans, Nevers and Troyes. The Archbishop of Sens still bears the title “Primat des Gaules et de Germanie”, which in the Catholic Church represents the position of the first prelate after the Pope. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Sens experienced its most glorious period, with the building of the Cathedral, the council in which Saint Bernard and Abelard faced each other, the stay of Pope Alexander III, such as that of Thomas Becket and the marriage of Marguerite de Provence with Saint Louis IX.
After the destruction of the Hundred Years War, the city found in the 16th century. back to its greatness. The transept of the cathedral, the archbishop's palace and the house of Abraham date from this period ...
However, with the wars of religion and the establishment of the Archbishopric of Paris in 1622, the city of Sens lost its authority. Since then only Auxerre, Nevers and Troyes remain under their episcopal administration.
The city achieved a certain level of prosperity again in the 18th century, as evidenced by the construction of the numerous patrician houses. The turmoil of the revolution and the empire weaken the city of Sens, in which the heir to the throne, son of Louis XV and father of Louis XVI, is buried.
A resurgence began in the course of the 19th century, mainly thanks to the arrival of the railroad. The third republic confirms this regained prosperity with the construction of the market hall, the theater and the town hall.
In the 20th century The size of the April 30th market reaffirms the economic importance of the city that, on the edge of Burgundy, Champagne, Ile-de-France and Orléanais, has become a crossroads of highways, a city where life is good, and which combines the richness of its heritage with the charm of its parks and gardens.
getting there
| Distances (road km) | |
| Amsterdam | 624 km |
|---|---|
| Auxerre | 77 km |
| Besançon | 316 km |
| Bordeaux | 581 km |
| Lyon | 368 km |
| Orleans | 141 km |
| Paris | 127 km |
| Strasbourg | 448 km |
By plane
The nearest commercial airport is Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport
(IATA: CDG).
For private pilots there is den around 10 km north
By train
The centrally located one is on the western side of the river opposite the old town 1 Railway station Sens on the old SNCF line from Paris via Dijon to Marseille. Travel times for local trains ("TER") are around one hour to Paris-Bercy and two hours to Lyon. The Paris-Dijon TGV line passes northeast of the city without a nearby train station.
By bus
In the street
Sens is close to the motorway 
Sens - Orleans and is accessed from the north by exit 1 (Sens) and from the south by exit 2 (Villeneuve-la-Dondagre), each of which is a few kilometers into the city. The A19 branches further north from the motorway 
(Paris - Belfort), south of Sens it crosses the motorway 
(Paris - Lyon). This means that Sens can be easily reached from all directions.
By boat
Sens is located on the Yvonne, which is navigable in the section for smaller ships. However, there is no commercial fast shipping. With your own (or rented) (houseboat) you have 3 travel options: via the Saine and Yvonne, from the Saône via Dijon with the Canal de Bourgogne or from the Loire via the Canal du Nivernais.
The pier, located in the historic city center of Sens, offers boaters a pleasant stay. It is in close proximity to all shops and services. The cathedral and museums of Sens are within easy walking distance.
Water and electricity: Allo Mairie 0 8000 89100 (N ° Vert - free call from a fixed telephone) Maintenance and repairs: Evans Marine International - Chemin du Port de Givet - 89100 Saint-Denis-les-Sens - Tel .: 03 86 65 34 66
mobility
The city has a dense network of bus routes. All 9 lines serve the stop 2 Garibaldi (north of the old town) and many the Gare SNCF stop. Therefore, exploring the old town on foot is also possible with accommodation located a little further away.
Tourist Attractions
Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples
- 1 Saint-Etienne cathedral, Place de la République, 89100 Sens. Gothic cathedral from the 12th to 15th centuries, is considered one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in France.Open: daily 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- 2 Église Saint-Maurice, Rue Denis Papin, 89100 Sens.
Castles, chateaus and palaces
- 3 Synodal Palace. The Synodial Palace was built between 1230 and 1240 under the Archbishop Gauthier Cornut and in the XIX. Restored by Viollet-le-Duc. On the ground floor was the episcopal court and its cells, rare witnesses of the medieval prisons, the walls of which are covered with numerous old graffiti. Synods and episcopal meetings took place in the huge hall on the first floor. It has a ribbed vault and is well lit by the double arches of the windows, raised by a multi-lobed rose window. Temporary exhibitions are held there in summer today. It is part of the museum tour. Right next door is the former archbishop's palace, which is now used by the Museum of Sens (see below).
Buildings
- 4 House of Abraham. Half-timbered house from the 16th century.
- 5 Hotel de Ville, 100 Rue de la République, 89100 Sens. Whoever is self-respecting: representative architecture from 1904.
Monuments
Museums
- 6 Musées de Sens, 135 Rue Déportés et de la Resistance, 89100 Sens. Tel.: 33386644622. Open: Wed - Mon (closed Tuesdays) 1900 - 1230 and 1400-1830.
The museums of Sens form a real museum palace. Housed in magnificent buildings next to the cathedral, which are made up of the synodal palace from the 13th century. and the former archbishop's palace, they contain extremely interesting collections.
The treasure of the cathedral is the richest in France next to that of Sainte-Foy-de-Conques, and one of the richest in Europe, and includes many famous pieces such as enamelled works of art, pieces of ivory, goldsmiths, liturgical vestments and vestments (that of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, recently restored), wonderful Flemish tapestries from the 15th century. and rare silk fabrics.
Another highlight of the museums of Sens are the Gallo-Roman collections: the reconstruction of the majestic thermal bath facade, mosaics and a collection of grave stelae that are unique in France. They were found in the 19th century. during the dismantling of the city walls, which after the first barbarian raids in the 3rd century. A.D. had been erected. These blocks and decorative elements are in an excellent state of conservation, as they were protected from the influences of time for centuries. This collection makes the museums of Sens a reference in the Gallo-Romanesque world and is to be mentioned in the same breath as those of Metz in Lorraine, but also of Trier and Cologne.
The prehistoric and early historical collections are continuously supplemented by archaeological excavations. The two “treasures”, that of Villethierry for the Bronze Age (1000 years BC) with its 867 bronze objects (needles, fibulas, rings, pendants ...) and that of Saint-Denis-les-Sens with its gold coins from the Gallic times, are exceptional pieces in archeology.
The tour is complemented by the Marrey Collection. This remarkable collection contains 80 works of Flemish paintings and landscapes from the 19th century. (Works by Brueghel, Boudin, Watteau de Lille). Furniture by Raymond Subes and ceramics by Mayodon are grouped around two of Rodin's works.
The buildings of the Orangery and the Synodal Palace regularly host traveling exhibitions, mostly modern art. The Sens museums also organize lecture groups and various events.
Streets and squares
Parks
- 7 Parc du Moulin à Tan. The recreational area of the city. The beautiful park, an extensive green island on an area of 15 hectares at the transition between town and country, was laid out around a former tanner's mill. With over 250,000 visitors annually, it is one of the most popular gardens in Burgundy. It consists, among other things, of an arboretum, a rose garden, an animal enclosure and an observation point for an extensive view of the fauna. Of course, there are also playgrounds for children, a fitness trail and inviting picnic areas. Waters rush through the park and provide a habitat for numerous water birds to the delight of young and old visitors. The tropical greenhouses are the culmination of the walk: the collection of tropical plants has been located on an area of 600 m² since 1970. More than 1500 different varieties and sub-varieties are on display. All of them come either from donations, from exchanges with other cities or from private lovers. The visitor discovers successively a Mexican garden, the greenhouse of the cacti, the greenhouse of the epiphytes (parasite plants) and the "winter garden". The latter simulates a climate close to that of the tropical forests. In its water basin, between the huge banana palm and the small mimosa, sits the astonishing "Victoria Cruziana", a giant aquatic plant from the Amazon region, which is the pride of the entire complex.Open: daily 8 a.m. - sunset, greenhouses 2.30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
various
- 1 Marché envelope. Market hall.
activities
In Sens and the surrounding area, the traditional festivals are maintained and celebrated seasonally:
Festival of the donkey! - This festival, which takes place in Sens every January, has its origins in the fair of the festival of the crazy, described in a manuscript from the 13th century, kept in the city library of Sens. Exhibitions, lectures, walks in the wagon are offered , medieval food, events in the museums of Sens, as well as drama, theater and concerts for everyone.
The consumer fair of Sens - Every year, around May 1st, the great trade fair takes place in Sens, which lasts 3 to 4 days. It goes back to the great medieval masses. It has the peculiarity of taking place outside on the three-kilometer-long promenade that surrounds the old town and attracts 200,000 to 250,000 visitors annually.
Feast of the patron saint of gardeners Saint-Fiacre - This festival to celebrate the patron saint of gardeners is organized every year by the Horticultural Society of Sens on the second Sunday of September. The evening before, wheelbarrows and wagons are decorated with flowers by various associations, communities or private individuals. On the Sunday after the mass in the richly decorated cathedral, there is a flower parade that leads to the Park du Moulin à Tan, where a plant mass takes place afterwards.
Garçon la Note music festival! - Evening concerts in or in front of restaurants or cafes, from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., in July and August. Different styles of music are offered: French variety, jazz, blues, rock, country, Celtic music. The idea is also to make local, regional or national groups known and to help them advance. 50% of the groups come from the Yonne region, 50% come from outside.
Music festival at the Vauluisant monastery in Courgenay - beginning of June Festival in Sens (music and dances from all over the world) - mid-July International Festival of Organ Music Michelle Leclerc - July, August Festival of the patron saint of gardeners Saint-Fiacre - second weekend in September
shop
- 1 Brasserie Larché, 89, rue Bellocier - F 89100 Sens. Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 65 19 89. The Sens brewery was founded in 1996, out of the desire of three friends to resurrect what was once a tradition in Sens. Since then, this artisanal brewery has offered light, dark, brown and amber-colored beers with the Thomas Becket label. The different types of malt that are used are made from Burgundian hops. Finally, honey from the Yonne gives this pure brewery product from Burgundy a special touch. Filled in barrels, bottles or jugs, this beer initially conquered the whole of Burgundy, but is now also found in Franche-Comté, the Jura and the Ile-de-France. Production started with 1,500 Hl, thanks to the great demand it can now be expanded to 10,000 Hl. This product was recognized by numerous connoisseurs.Open: Direct sales: Mon - Sat 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Fromagerie Lincet, 15, rue de la Quenevelle - F - 89100 Saligny (6 km from Sens). Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 97 83 97. The Lincet dairy. The cheese dairy has been located in Saligny, near Sens, since 1957. The name is that of a family from the Marne, in which the craft of cheese-making has been learned and practiced for five generations. The dairy is ideally located, close to the regions where cheese making is a tradition: Champagne, Burgundy and Ile-de-France, from which it draws its recipes: Chaource, Brillat Savarin, Epoisses. The company has 130 employees and produces more than 3,500 tons of cheese per year. It counts 72 milk suppliers and insists on the quality of the products and the working methods as well as self-control. The dairy has always followed the 14 001 certificate in connection with respect for the environment. The company has its own impressive sewage treatment plant, consisting of a washing tunnel, which also cleans the tools.Open: Direct sales (cheese and regional products): Wed Thu 9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. 1.30 p.m. - 4.00 p.m., Fri 8.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
- Beekeeping and honey sales Henry, 15, rue des Maisons Brûlées - F 89320 - Villiers-Louis (12 km from Sens). Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 88 24 23. Celine and Julien run an apiary and produce cider on a farm that is part of the “Bienvenue à la Ferme” (Welcome to the Farm) network. It is seven kilometers from Sens, in the direction of Troyes. Up to eight different types of honey are offered, as well as honey pastries (meringues, madeleines, honey cakes) and honey cider.Open: Direct sales: Fri Sat 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., otherwise by appointment.
- Earl terry, 8, Hameau des Brissots - F 89320 Vaudeurs (15 miles from Sens). Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 96 25 37. Apple and Cider Museum. Discover here how an amazing and very old press with two wheels at right angles to each other, the so-called “Pressoir à roue de perroquet” or parrot wheel, which surprises both by its size and by its inventiveness. The museum also has an exhibition and a video about cider making.Open: Direct sales (cider and apple juice from our own production): March - November daily 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. and by appointment.
kitchen
As far as culinary art and gastronomy are concerned, Sens, the gateway to Burgundy, is in no way inferior to the southern climes of the region. In Sens, great value is placed on culinary delights. Feasting is by no means a sin in this country. The gastronomy and tourist guides list around ten restaurants in Sens. First and foremost, a restaurant that has belonged to the illustrious circle of hotels awarded one star by the Michelin guide since 1999.
List of places mentioned in gastronomy or tourist guides:
- 1 La Madeleine, ile d'yonne, Quai Boffrand, 89100 Sens. Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 65 09 31. One Michelin star.Price: €€€€.
- Hotel de Paris et de la Poste, 97, rue de la République in Sens. Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 65 17 43. see accommodation.
- Le Soleil Levant, 51, rue Emile Zola in Sens. Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 65 71 82.
Meeting points for those with a sweet tooth
In order to give real connoisseurs the opportunity to discover the secrets of the Sénonais chefs without having to look into their pots in the restaurant kitchen, the Tourist Office has been offering cooking demonstrations since 2011. The principle is simple: for each appointment, a chef shows a recipe of the season that can easily be cooked at home in your own kitchen, every first Friday of the month, from May to October. Participation is free of charge. The illustrated recipes can be found at www.office-de-tourisme-sens.com.
Regional products that are known far beyond the region:
Snails, mustard from Dijon, currant liqueur (cassis), Burgundy parsley ham and cream puffs, the so-called Gougères ... the traditional products and specialties from Burgundy are at the top of the menu in our recommended restaurants, as well as the special location of Sens three other provinces - Champagne, Ile-de-France and Center - Val-de-Loire, where andouillette comes from Chablis or Troyes, wine from Yonne or Champagne, cheese from Chaource or Soumaintrain, honey from Yonne or the Gâtinais. Apple juice and cider come from the Pays d’Othe. Every now and then saffron from the Gâtinais gives the dishes a special touch.
Some nice marketsSens: Monday all day and Friday mornings
Egriselles-le-Bocage: evening markets in summer
Pont-sur-Yonne: Wednesday mornings and Sunday mornings
Villeneuve-sur-Yonne: Tuesday mornings and Friday mornings
nightlife
accommodation
Cheap
medium
- 1 Hotel-restaurant du Chemin de fer, 7 avenue de la Gare, 89100 Sens. Tel.: 33386651027. Near the train station.
- = Hôtel Esplanade, 2 Boulevard du Mail, 89100 Sens.
- 2 Hotel de Paris et de la Poste, 97 Rue de la République, 89100 Sens. Tel.: 33386651743, Email: [email protected].
upscale
security
health
Practical advice
- 1 Office de Tourisme de Sens et du Sénonais, 6 Rue du Général Leclerc, 89100 Sens. Tel.: 33 3 86 65 19 49, Fax: 33 (0)3 86 64 24 18, Email: [email protected]. Open: daily 0930 - 1300; 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
trips
Good ideas for families
- Office de Tourisme de Sens et du Sénonais, Place Jean Jaurès, F - 89100 Sens. Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 65 19 49. Playful and sociable, the rally in the footsteps of Saint Louis IX. This mini play book invites children aged 6 to 11 to playfully explore Sens together with their parents. This playful and educational path of discovery allows you to get to know the architecture and history in a simple and fun way. Those who manage to solve the puzzles can expect a reward and a knight's diploma at the tourist office. Selling price: € 2.50, available from the Sens and Surroundings Tourist Office. This mini playbook bears the "Famil’Yonne" seal.Open: all year round.
- La Ferme de Flo, 7, rue des Ramoneds, F - 89140 Evry (11 km from Sens). Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 95 29 80. Flo's Court: Noah's Ark. Living and producing in harmony with animals and plants is more than a value for Florence and Bruno Pouteau. It's a way of life, a way of life. From the idea of respecting the so rich but so delicate nature, the couple turned to integrated agriculture that respects the environment. Florence dedicates herself to the animals on her farm. The birth and rescue of abandoned animals form the rhythm of this Noah's Ark. More than 100 animals live there! An adventure to experience with the family or in groups.Open: For individuals, by appointment on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Groups on weekdays by appointment.
- La Ferme des Glaciers, F - 89100 Saint-Martin-du-Tertre (3.5 km from Sens). Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 64 38 24. Confusing, this maze ... Spend unique moments in the heart of the huge corn maze, solve puzzles, drive past the animals on the farm in the "Rosalie", play with one of the 50 old giant games, discover the yurt tent. This is how rich is the offer of the educational court during the summer. Relaxation guaranteed, for young and old. The farm is open all year round to visit the animals, the technology of agricultural cultivation methods, for manual workshops or for birthday dinners.
- Cyclorail du Sénonais, Gare d’accueil, F - 89190 Chigy (11 km from Sens). Tel.: 33 (0)3 86 86 82 06. With the rail wheel. The rail wheel is a funny vehicle with which you can go on an adventurous journey using muscle power - on the old railroad tracks from 1870! Two stylish train stations from that time invite you to stop on the 11 km long route. An excursion that promises a lot of fun for young and old! 50% adventure, 50% discovery, 100% free time for a simple activity, accessible to all audiences, for groups, families, the physically handicapped.
- La Ferme de Rosny, Route de Villethierry (RD 223), F - 89340 Chaumont (26 km from Sens). Tel.: 33 (0)6 66 66 73 75. At the Rosny farm. The Rosny farm, located in the middle of the forest, is a suitable vegetable growing area with its 3.2 hectares. The organically grown products have been awarded the Ecocert trademark. Frédéric has been converting the business to bio-dynamic management since 2010, with the help of the hard-working donkey Huguette. This educational farm is open to groups of children, but also to adults, for various workshops, day or half-day: getting to know the work in the field, the vegetable garden and also the animals on the farm (Lulu the Asian pig, Jagway the horse, Caramelle the hare , Trop Tôt - too early - the rooster and her friends). Exploring the vegetables without forgetting the nature of the land (or how to make works of art from materials found in the fields or forests).Open: for groups: Mon - Fri by appointment.
literature
Web links
- http://www.ville-sens.fr/ - Official website of Sens
