The pleasant city of Sens, gateway to Burgundy and second city of the department of Yonne, guards its treasures jealously. The first of these is the Cathedral of St. Stephen, one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in France, built between 1130 and 1168. It has magnificent Flamboyant façades and splendid old stained glass windows, including some remarkable examples from the 13th century, such as the great stained glass window of St. Thomas Becket, which you can admire in the ambulatory.
This sumptuous building's surroundings are also worth exploring. In front of the chevet, the Orangery garden displays its colourful flower beds. Opposite the cathedral, Sens market hall is a fine example of 19th-century metal architecture and hosts a covered market on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday morning. An opportunity to stock up on local specialities!
The museums of Sens, based in the buildings of the former archbishop's palace and the synodal palace, are the city's second gem. This harmonious complex is notable for its beautiful glazed tiles, restored by Viollet-le-Duc, and for the Francis I and Henry II wings, whose collections are remarkable testimonies to the past. On this site, there are interesting Gallo-Roman remains, as well as the Cathedral Treasury, which houses superb pieces such as ancient fabrics and liturgical garments, tapestries, enamels, ivories and gold and silverware. You can also see paintings from the 15th to 19th centuries (Bruegel, Boudin, Watteau de Lille, Delorme...) and bronzes by Rodin, as well as ceramics by Mayodon and furniture made by the artist and metalworker Subes.
In the old, almond-shaped city centre, you can stroll through the maze of streets lined with half-timbered houses and mansions, and discover many unusual nooks and crannies. On the Brennus trail, which is marked out with arrows on the ground, you can admire the splendid Abraham House at the corner of Rue Jean Cousin and Rue de la République. Dating from the 16th century, this old half-timbered house is carved with numerous motifs. These include the tree of Jesse on its pillar, tracing the genealogy of Christ.
The Moulin à Tan Park, a certified Remarkable Garden, is another unmissable place for a walk. Within its 15 hectares crossed by two rivers, areas with multiple identities combine to form landscaped scenes. The arboretum, wild rose garden and greenhouses with tropical collections are among the interesting sights of this magical place, where children will be delighted by the animal enclosures, wildlife observation area, orienteering courses and playgrounds.
