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The façade and spire of Notre-Dame de Senlis CathedralDiliff · CC BY-SA 3.0

What to do · Senlis

Notre-Dame de Senlis Cathedral

Visit · 45 min · free · one of the first Gothic cathedrals · video tour on your phone

InformationFree
Price
Free
Duration
45 min
Season
All year
Who it's for
All ages

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.

As a family

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

A seasonal dish at Le Bistrot de la Place© Le Bistrot de la PlaceHome-made seasonal cooking opposite the cathedral

Le Bistrot de la Place

Restaurant · Senlis · place Notre-Dame · €€€€

What to order: the €25 lunchtime menu on the terrace facing the cathedral

Open Sunday lunchtime; closed Monday
The dining room of the Brasserie du Cerf© La Brasserie du CerfSenlis's brasserie since 1900

La Brasserie du Cerf

Restaurant · Senlis · avenue du Maréchal Foch · €€€€

What to order: a dish from the seasonal menu in the winter garden

Tuesday to Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday
The bar of the Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon© Logis Hostellerie de la Porte BellonPicardy cooking and an aperitif in a Gothic cellar

Restaurant of the Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon

Restaurant · Senlis · rue Bellon · €€€€

What to order: an aperitif in the 13th-century Gothic cellar and regional cooking on the terrace

Closed Sunday; Monday dinner only

To stay nearby

A room at the Hôtel Le Petit Bellon© Logis Hôtel Le Petit BellonHotel

Logis Hôtel Le Petit Bellon

Senlis centre · Air conditioning · Free electric charger · Dogs welcome

Dogs welcome

Why we like it: Practical hotel a few steps from Senlis's historic centre, with air conditioning, a free electric charger, a bar and a 30-seat restaurant.

A room at the Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon© Logis Hostellerie de la Porte BellonSmall hotel

Logis Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon

Family hotel · 300 m from the cathedral · Restaurant and Gothic cellar · Terrace

Why we like it: Four-generation family hotel 300 metres from Senlis Cathedral, with a Picardy-cooking restaurant, a terrace and a 13th-century Gothic cellar.

Itineraries

Features in these plans