Senlis

For other places with the same name, seeSenlis (disambiguation).

Senlis (French pronunciation:[sɑ̃lis]^ⓘ) is acommune in the northern Frenchdepartment ofOise,Hauts-de-France.

Senlis
Subprefecture andcommune
Cathedral
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Senlis
Senlis Show map of France Senlis Show map of Hauts-de-France
Coordinates:49°12′29″N2°35′15″E / 49.2081°N 2.5875°E /49.2081; 2.5875
Country	France
Region	Hauts-de-France
Department	Oise
Arrondissement	Senlis
Canton	Senlis
Intercommunality	Senlis Sud Oise
Government
• Mayor(2020–2026)	Pascale Loiseleur^[1]
Area ¹	24.05 km² (9.29 sq mi)
Population (2022)^[2]	15,238
• Density	630/km² (1,600/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	60612 /60300
Elevation	47–140 m (154–459 ft) (avg. 76 m or 249 ft)
¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

The monarchs of the early French dynasties lived in Senlis, attracted by the proximity of theChantilly forest. It is known for its Gothiccathedral and other historical monuments. Its inhabitants are called "Senlisiens" and "Senlisiennes".^[3]

Geography

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Senlis is situated on the riverNonette, between the forests ofChantilly and d'Ermenonville in the South and d'Halatte on the North. It is located 40 kilometers to the north of Paris, 44 km fromBeauvais and 79 km fromAmiens.The highest point of the town (140m) lies at the heart of the forest Halatte and the lowest point is located on the banks of the Nonette, west of the city. Geologically, the area is occupied by a vast limestone plateau of theLutetian covered mostly insilt.

History

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Senlis was known in early Roman imperial times as Augustomagus and later as Civitas Silvanectium ("City of the Silvanectes").^[4] During the 3rd century, a seven-meter high defensive wall, about half of which still exists, was erected around the settlement in response toFrankish incursions.^[4] The wall remained in use into the 13th century. The town also featured a Roman amphitheatre, the remains of which are still visible, about 500 m west of the walled town. The amphitheatre seated as many as 10,000 people and was used for public meetings, theatre, gladiatorial combats, and animal hunts.^[5] The monarchs of the early French dynasties lived here, attracted by the proximity of theChantilly Forest and its venison, and built a castle on the foundations of the Roman settlement. In 987, ArchbishopAdalbero of Reims called together an assembly, and asked them to chooseHugh Capet as king of France. However, the monarchs of France soon abandoned the city, preferringCompiègne andFontainebleau. New life was given to the city in the 12th century, and ramparts were built. The popularity of the city later fell, and it slipped into decline. Today it remains an attraction for tourists for its long history and its links to the French monarchy.

The town saw fighting inWorld War I, with theGermans occupying the town in early September 1914. The mayor, Eugène Odent was executed by theGermans along with six other civilianhostages: a tanner, a carter, a cafe waiter, a chauffeur, a baker's helper and a stonecutter.^[6] In addition, theTrain Station andCourthouse was burned down, along with other buildings. The town was later liberated that same year, by theFrench Army.

Royal city

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Senlis fell under the ownership ofHugh Capet in 981. He was elected king by his barons in 987 before being crowned atNoyon. Under the Capetian rule, Senlis became a royal city and remained so until the reign ofCharles X (1824-1830). A castle was built during this period whose remains are still visible today. The city reached its apogee in the 12th and 13th centuries as trade in wool and leather increased, while vineyards began to grow. With an increasing population, the city expanded and needed new ramparts: a second chamber was erected underPhillip II that was larger and higher than the ramparts of the Gallo-Romans. A municipal charter was granted to the town in 1173 byKing Louis VII. The bishop of Senlis and the Chancellor Guérin became close advisors to the King, strengthening Senlis' ties to the French royalty. In 1265, theBailiwick of Senlis was created with a vast territory covering theBeauvais and the FrenchVexin. In 1319, the town, crippled by debt, passed into the control of royalty. Senlis was devastated by theHundred Years' War, but managed to escape destruction despite being besieged by theArmagnacs. Senlis' economy suffered heavily and would have to wait until the 15th century for another boom, during which many buildings were built or restored. In 1493, KingCharles VIII of France, son ofLouis XI, signed theTreaty of Senlis with theDuke of Burgundy,Maximilian I of Austria.^[7]

Population

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Historical population
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1968	11,169	—
1975	13,639	+2.90%
1982	14,514	+0.89%
1990	14,439	−0.06%
1999	16,327	+1.37%
2007	16,310	−0.01%
2012	15,789	−0.65%
2017	14,277	−1.99%
Source: INSEE^[8]

Sights

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TheSenlis Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Gothic church and a French national monument. The Cathedral was the ancient seat of theBishopric of Senlis, abolished by theConcordat of 1801, when its territory was passed to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Beauvais. The southern portal of the 16th century, the work ofMartin Chambiges, marked the evolution of Gothic art. The cathedral was built between 1153 and 1519; its 256-foot-tall (78 m) tall spire dates from the 13th century and is visible across the plain ofValois [fr]. Itstransepts were rebuilt between 1530 and 1556 after being destroyed by a fire, while the side portals and shallow east chapels date from about the same period.
The Ancient Royal Castle- priory Saint Maurice. The site has been occupied since the Roman era. In the course of the 4th century, the site was visited by theCarolingian kings. The current castle dates to the 12th century and was built underLouis VII of France.
Hôtel de Ville Senlis has a plaque attached to honor the loyalty ofHenry IV of France.
The formerSt. Vincent Abbey was founded in 1065 by QueenAnne of Kiev and entrusted to thecanons regular of theAbbey of St Genevieve in Paris, known asGénovéfains. The complex was transformed into a boys' boarding school by theMarist Fathers in the 19th century.
The Museum of Art and Archeology contains notably rings found in aGallo-Roman temple in the forest of Halatte.
The Museum of the Hunts
The Museum of the Spahis

Culture

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In 1972, Senlis was made into a pedestrian town for a weekend in September, and this became a regular event, allowing the public to discover the gardens andhotels particuliers hidden behind gateways. The last gathering took place in 2007.^[9] The Garden Lounge takes place around April, and there is a Christmas march around the Church of Saint Peter.

The town was briefly captured by the Germans at the beginning of World War I. Several citizens were executed by firing squad in early September, including the mayor, Eugène Odent, who was charged with orchestrating “terrorist” civilian resistance — shuttering buildings for the convenience of snipers, failing to demand orderly submission from his neighbours and generally inconveniencing German troops.^[10] In 1931 the main street of Senlis was named after Odent.^[11]

InA Writer at War 14-18 Édouard Coeurdevey describes the German destruction that he witnesses when visiting Senlis on 6 June 1915.^[12] On 8 June he wrote 'Senlis bonde d'Annamites'.

The historic look of Senlis, with its ancient cobbled alleys and its proximity to Paris, made it a major destination for cinema.^[13] Among the films shot in Senlis: