# Senlis A Gothic cathedral, the Gallo-Roman wall, the royal castle and cobbled streets, 45 km from Paris. With Chantilly next door and Parc Astérix 12 km away. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/hauts-de-france/senlis · Revisado: 2026-11-12 ## What is Senlis? A small town in the Oise that was a royal residence. Hugh Capet was elected King of France here in 987, and until the Bourbons the sovereigns spent time in its royal castle. It has the Notre-Dame cathedral, one of the first Gothic cathedrals in France, a Gallo-Roman wall from the 3rd century and a centre of cobbled streets and 17th- and 18th-century mansions, protected as a Site Patrimonial Remarquable. It is quiet, can be covered entirely on foot and has none of the queues of the big palaces. ## How do you get there from Paris? By car, it is 45 km on the A1, exit 8 Senlis. This is the most convenient option, because it lets you combine Senlis with Chantilly, a quarter of an hour away, or with Parc Astérix, 12 km away. Without a car, Senlis has no passenger train. Take the TER from Gare du Nord to Chantilly-Gouvieux (25 minutes; the RER D takes 45) and from there bus 645 to the Notre-Dame / Cinéma stop. If you arrive by air at Charles de Gaulle, bus 630 leaves from Roissypôle, between terminals 2 and 3, and reaches Senlis in 25 minutes: that is why Senlis works well as the first or last night of a trip. ## What to see in half a day? Start at the Place du Parvis, with the tourist office and the cathedral, which can be visited for free with a video guide for your phone. Continue to the royal castle and the garden of the former Saint-Maurice priory; the building is under works and can be seen from the outside. Then follow the medieval town trail, 6 km marked with totems that take in the wall and the Saint-Frambourg chapel, with stained glass by Miró. If it is Wednesday to Sunday, go into the Museum of Art and Archaeology, in the former episcopal palace: €7, free for under-26s. The works of Séraphine Louis are now in Metz, but her room shows a video mapping. At the weekend the Spahis Museum is also open, and free. With children, Parc Astérix is 12 km away: fifty rides and shows from the comic, open seasonally. ## What does it combine with? With Chantilly, its château and its horses, a quarter of an hour away: it is the classic day by car through the Oise. Further north, about 40 minutes away, are Compiègne and Pierrefonds, the palace of Napoleon III and Viollet-le-Duc's fairy-tale château. ## Where to eat and sleep? For lunch on a Sunday, the Bistrot de la Place, opposite the cathedral, with home cooking and a €25 lunchtime menu. From Tuesday to Saturday, La Brasserie du Cerf, the town's brasserie since 1900, or the Porte Bellon restaurant, with its Gothic cellar. To sleep, there is the Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon, a family hotel 300 metres from the cathedral, and the Hôtel Le Petit Bellon, practical, with air conditioning and free car parks next door. ## Dónde está - Cerca: Chantilly (a 9.0 km), Pierrefonds and Compiègne (a 29.6 km), Auvers-sur-Oise (a 33.7 km), Disneyland Paris (a 39.7 km) ## Qué hacer - **Notre-Dame de Senlis Cathedral** (45 min · All ages · Free): Senlis Cathedral, in the centre of the old town, is one of the first great Gothic buildings in France, begun in the 12th century, and its stone spire can be seen from all over the plain. Entry is free. How to visit The association of friends of the cathedral has prepared with the tourist office a tour in ten short videos: at the end of each, a plan tells you where to go to see the next. Ask for the link at the tourist office, which is on the same square, the Parvis Notre-Dame. Respect the times of worship. Around it The Parvis square, with its old houses, is the starting point of all the walks. A couple of steps away are the royal castle and the Museum of Art and Archaeology. - **The Circuit through the Medieval Town and the Gallo-Roman Wall** (2 h · 6 km · All ages · Free): Senlis preserves one of the best-preserved Gallo-Roman walls in France, that of Augustomagus, from the 3rd century, and a centre of cobbled streets classified as a “remarkable heritage site”. Since 2016, a 6 km interpretation circuit, with totems and lecterns, runs through the historic centre and the districts. What not to miss The wall, the Parvis square with the cathedral, the 17th- and 18th-century mansions and the Saint-Frambourg chapel, with stained glass by Joan Miró. The full route takes about two hours; the central part, one. With a guide From April to October, the tourist office guides run town circuits, tours of the Gallo-Roman heritage and themed routes. Check the programme at the office, on the Place du Parvis Notre-Dame. - **The Royal Castle of Senlis and the Saint-Maurice Priory** (30 min · All ages · Free from the outside): Senlis was a city of kings: from the Capetians to the Bourbons, sovereigns passed through here, and in 987 Hugh Capet was elected King of France in the city. The royal castle, next to the cathedral, is one of the few palatial residences of the Middle Ages still standing. What can be seen now For safety reasons, the building needs major works and is one of the sites of the Mission Stéphane Bern of the Heritage Foundation. It can be seen from the grounds and the garden of the former Saint-Maurice priory. The Vénerie museum, devoted to hunting on horseback, is closed for works; check its reopening on the museums' website. - **The Senlis Museum of Art and Archaeology** (1 h · All ages · €7 · reduced €4 · free for under-26s and the first Sunday of the month): The museum occupies the former episcopal palace, on the place Notre-Dame, next to the cathedral. It brings together Gallo-Roman archaeology from Augustomagus, the Roman name of Senlis, medieval sculpture and painting, with the room devoted to Séraphine Louis, the painter of Senlis. This winter Séraphine Louis's works are in the retrospective at the Centre Pompidou-Metz until May 2027. In her room, since November, the video mapping “Dans les mains de Séraphine” is shown, at no extra charge. Opening hours and prices Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00; closed on 25 December, 1 January and 1 May, and the ticket desk closes at 17:40. Entry €7, reduced €4, free for under-26s and for everyone on the first Sunday of each month. Guided visit, €4 extra. - **The Spahis Museum** (45 min · Teenagers and adults · Free): One of the town's three museums, devoted to the spahis, the cavalry of the French army recruited in North Africa, with uniforms, weapons and mementoes of their regiments. It is free. When Only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00, except on 25 December, 1 January and 1 May. Telephone: +33 3 44 26 15 50. - **Parc Astérix, 12 km from Senlis** (8 h · Families with children of all ages and teenagers): The Astérix and Obélix park is 35 km north of Paris and 12 from Senlis. It has about fifty rides and shows spread over five worlds taken from the comic: Gaul, the Roman Empire, ancient Greece, Egypt and the Vikings. Who it is for For thrill-seekers, Toutatis (51 metres, 110 km/h), Oziris and Goudurix, with seven loops. For the family, the Galère, the Menhir Express or the Rivière d'Elis. For little ones, Idéfix's forest, with slides and giant mushrooms, and rides made to their size. Practical details The park is open seasonally: check the calendar and prices on its website before you go, because they change by day. It has three hotels of its own in the forest. With children, it is a full-day plan; combine it with an afternoon in Senlis. ## Dónde comer - **Le Bistrot de la Place** (Restaurant, Senlis · place Notre-Dame, €€). Qué pedir: the €25 lunchtime menu on the terrace facing the cathedral - **La Brasserie du Cerf** (Restaurant, Senlis · avenue du Maréchal Foch, €€). Qué pedir: a dish from the seasonal menu in the winter garden - **Restaurant of the Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon** (Restaurant, Senlis · rue Bellon, €€). Qué pedir: an aperitif in the 13th-century Gothic cellar and regional cooking on the terrace ## By plane: Flying to Charles de Gaulle and Senlis 25 Minutes Away Senlis is closer to Charles de Gaulle airport than to Paris: 25 minutes on the A1 or by bus 630. With direct flights to CDG from the main Spanish cities, it can be the first or last night of the trip, with Chantilly next door. ### Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Logis Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon** (Small hotel): Céline, Jean and their team run this house, which follows a four-generation family tradition. It is a couple of steps from the centre, 300 metres from the cathedral and the church of Saint-Pierre, and at the entrance to the A1 between Paris and Lille. The house Simple, well-kept rooms, free wifi, a bar and a restaurant serving cooking with Picardy touches, with a shaded terrace. The aperitif is taken in the 13th-century Gothic cellar. Breakfast costs €12 to €14 per person. Times Check-in from 16:00 and check-out until 11:00. The hotel is closed from 1 to 5 January. The restaurant is not open on Sundays. What is nearby The medieval town on foot; Chantilly a quarter of an hour by car and Parc Astérix 12 km away. - **Logis Hôtel Le Petit Bellon** (Hotel): A simple, well-located hotel, a few steps from the historic centre. The rooms have the essentials (good bed, desk, wifi) and air conditioning, which is rare in the area. Breakfast and restaurant The buffet breakfast, with local produce, costs €12. The hotel restaurant, with 30 seats, serves home-made French cooking with a short menu that changes every week; it is also open to people who are not staying at the hotel. Parking and getting there There are two free car parks less than 50 metres away and a free electric charger. Dogs are accepted with a supplement of €12 to €20. Bus 645 from Chantilly-Gouvieux station stops in the centre. ### Servicios - **Senlis Tourist Office**: Place du Parvis Notre-Dame · guided tours from April to October · closed from 25 December to 3 January - **Buses to Senlis from Chantilly and from the Airport**: Bus 645 from Chantilly-Gouvieux station · bus 630 from Charles de Gaulle in 25 min ## Car-free: Senlis without a Car Without a car, you reach Senlis by train to Chantilly-Gouvieux and bus 645, or directly from the airport on the 630. Once there, everything is on foot: the old town is small and flat. Presupuesto orientativo: 90–170 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir without a car - **Logis Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon** (Small hotel): Céline, Jean and their team run this house, which follows a four-generation family tradition. It is a couple of steps from the centre, 300 metres from the cathedral and the church of Saint-Pierre, and at the entrance to the A1 between Paris and Lille. The house Simple, well-kept rooms, free wifi, a bar and a restaurant serving cooking with Picardy touches, with a shaded terrace. The aperitif is taken in the 13th-century Gothic cellar. Breakfast costs €12 to €14 per person. Times Check-in from 16:00 and check-out until 11:00. The hotel is closed from 1 to 5 January. The restaurant is not open on Sundays. What is nearby The medieval town on foot; Chantilly a quarter of an hour by car and Parc Astérix 12 km away. - **Logis Hôtel Le Petit Bellon** (Hotel): A simple, well-located hotel, a few steps from the historic centre. The rooms have the essentials (good bed, desk, wifi) and air conditioning, which is rare in the area. Breakfast and restaurant The buffet breakfast, with local produce, costs €12. The hotel restaurant, with 30 seats, serves home-made French cooking with a short menu that changes every week; it is also open to people who are not staying at the hotel. Parking and getting there There are two free car parks less than 50 metres away and a free electric charger. Dogs are accepted with a supplement of €12 to €20. Bus 645 from Chantilly-Gouvieux station stops in the centre. ### Servicios - **Senlis Tourist Office**: Place du Parvis Notre-Dame · guided tours from April to October · closed from 25 December to 3 January - **Buses to Senlis from Chantilly and from the Airport**: Bus 645 from Chantilly-Gouvieux station · bus 630 from Charles de Gaulle in 25 min ## By car: Senlis by Car By car, Senlis is 45 km from Paris on the A1, exit 8, and lets you combine the medieval town in one day with Chantilly, a quarter of an hour away, or with Parc Astérix, 12 km away. Presupuesto orientativo: 100–200 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Logis Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon** (Small hotel): Céline, Jean and their team run this house, which follows a four-generation family tradition. It is a couple of steps from the centre, 300 metres from the cathedral and the church of Saint-Pierre, and at the entrance to the A1 between Paris and Lille. The house Simple, well-kept rooms, free wifi, a bar and a restaurant serving cooking with Picardy touches, with a shaded terrace. The aperitif is taken in the 13th-century Gothic cellar. Breakfast costs €12 to €14 per person. Times Check-in from 16:00 and check-out until 11:00. The hotel is closed from 1 to 5 January. The restaurant is not open on Sundays. What is nearby The medieval town on foot; Chantilly a quarter of an hour by car and Parc Astérix 12 km away. - **Logis Hôtel Le Petit Bellon** (Hotel): A simple, well-located hotel, a few steps from the historic centre. The rooms have the essentials (good bed, desk, wifi) and air conditioning, which is rare in the area. Breakfast and restaurant The buffet breakfast, with local produce, costs €12. The hotel restaurant, with 30 seats, serves home-made French cooking with a short menu that changes every week; it is also open to people who are not staying at the hotel. Parking and getting there There are two free car parks less than 50 metres away and a free electric charger. Dogs are accepted with a supplement of €12 to €20. Bus 645 from Chantilly-Gouvieux station stops in the centre. ## As a family: Senlis with Children Senlis is short and flat, which is welcome with children. The cathedral and the wall can be seen in a morning; the afternoon, in season, can be for Parc Astérix, twelve kilometres away. ### What works best Parc Astérix, with Idéfix's forest for the little ones and Toutatis for the older ones The circuit along the wall and the cobbled streets, with totems that tell the story The Museum of Art and Archaeology, free for under-26s, with the Séraphine video mapping ### Where to stay Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon, 300 m from the cathedral Hôtel Le Petit Bellon, with air conditioning ### Where to eat La Brasserie du Cerf, with a children's menu at €14.99 Bistrot de la Place, with high chairs ### Good to know The cobbles in the centre are awkward for some pushchairs Parc Astérix is open seasonally: check its calendar first ### Qué hacer as a family - Notre-Dame de Senlis Cathedral - The Circuit through the Medieval Town and the Gallo-Roman Wall - The Royal Castle of Senlis and the Saint-Maurice Priory - The Senlis Museum of Art and Archaeology - Parc Astérix, 12 km from Senlis ## Consejos ### Go from Wednesday to Sunday The Museum of Art and Archaeology is closed on Monday and Tuesday. ### First Sunday of the month Museums are free for everyone. ### From the airport Bus 630 reaches Senlis in 25 minutes from Charles de Gaulle. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How do I get from Paris to Senlis without a car? By train from Gare du Nord to Chantilly-Gouvieux and then bus 645 to Senlis. ### How long do you need to see Senlis? Half a day for the cathedral, the castle, the wall and a museum. ### Is Senlis close to the airport? Yes, 25 minutes from Charles de Gaulle by car or on bus 630. ### How far is it to Parc Astérix? About 12 km. ### Can it be combined with Chantilly? Yes, Chantilly is a quarter of an hour away by car. ### How much does the museum in Senlis cost? €7 for the Museum of Art and Archaeology, free for under-26s; the Spahis Museum is free.