Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Sens

Sens

Begun around 1130–1135 at the initiative of Archbishop Henri Sanglier, Saint-Étienne de Sens is held to be the first Gothic cathedral in history: its choir and nave were consecrated in 1164 by Pope Alexander III, while work continued until 1176. In the Middle Ages the archbishopric of Sens was one of the most powerful in France, extending its authority over the dioceses of Chartres, Auxerre, Meaux, Paris, Orléans, Nevers and Troyes. From 1166 to 1170, Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury and in conflict with King Henry II of England, found refuge at Sens; a 13th-century stained-glass window commemorates his stay. On 27 May 1234, Saint Louis solemnly married Marguerite of Provence here. The south tower collapsed in 1268; rebuilt, it was completed in 1532–1534 and rises to 78 metres, while the Flamboyant transept was raised between 1490 and 1517. In 1777 the tomb of the Dauphin Louis, father of Louis XVI, and of Marie-Josèphe of Saxony was installed here. The treasury, one of the richest in France, preserves two altar frontals — the Coronation of the Virgin and the Adoration of the Magi — as well as a royal mantle embroidered with fleurs-de-lis. The statuary was ransacked at the Revolution.

Getting there : Heart of the town centre of Sens; free visit with explanatory panels and leaflets, guided and audio-guided tours available; the treasury (textiles, tapestries, goldsmiths' work) is displayed in the museum space adjoining the cathedral

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound