IDS - Index

IDS - magazine_summer2008 - Index

guide/guide
OT Senlis
Just 45km north of Paris, the Oise is
a greenbelt area, as well as being a
region of art, history and leisure.
Cathedrals and museums, chateaux
and forests – from Chantilly, the
"city of horses" to Compiègne and
Senlis – there are plenty of places to
get away to for a week-end or
longer if the fancy takes you…
A seulement 45 km au nord de
Paris, l’Oise se veut écrin de
verdure, mais aussi terre d’art,
d’histoire et de loisirs. Cathédrales
et musées, châteaux et forêts, de
Chantilly -« cité du cheval »- à
Compiègne, en passant par Senlis,
évadez-vous le temps d’un weekend
et plus si affinités…
OISE
North de Paris
OT Senlis
64 Greater Paris - summer / été 2008
A great escape - to Senlis
Do not miss the royal town of Senlis if you are in the
Oise. Amid the cobbled streets of this unusual town
you will find an arena, a cathedral and museums.
Visiting Senlis is like leafing through a
history book. Strolling along the cobbled
lanes reveals all its secrets. For instance, at
the corner of one square you can open a
gate and walk alongside kitchen gardens
to an arena dating back to the 1st century
AD.
A little further on, you can follow the
original route of the Gallo-Roman
enclosure. Most of this wall and its towers,
built in the third century AD, are still
standing today. At the centre lie the ruins
of the Royal castle where Hugues Capet
was proclaimed King in 987. Successive
kings of France right down to Charles X
also dwelled in Senlis, and so it is known as
the "royal town".
From the time of Philip II (Augustus) to that
of Philip the Fair, the town stood on some
forty hectares, the site of the most
prestigious architectural heritage. There is
Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the twelfth
and sixteenth centuries, the door of which
was the first to depict the crowning of the
Blessed Virgin; another significant building
is Saint Maurice's priory, built on the castle
estate at the request of Saint Louis and
now an exhibition venue: from July 5 to
16, there will be an exhibition of objects
Echappée belle à Senlis
Visiter Senlis, c’est comme feuilleter un
livre d’histoire. Car, au fil de ses ruelles
pavées, la ville livre tous ses secrets. Au détour
d’une place, par exemple, on pousse
une grille, on longe des jardins potagers et
l’on découvre des arènes du 1er siècle après
Jésus Christ.
relating to Tintin.
The Hunting museum is another
exceptional site. The art of hunting is
portrayed, with paintings by Oudry and
Desportes, hunt scenes, trophies, objects
from the world of hunting and historical
dress including the Duke of Bourbon's
riding coats and a tricorne hat belonging
to the Duchess of Uzès.
Cavalry-lovers in particular will really enjoy
the Spahi museum. Military costumes,
pennants and insignia bear witness to the
legendary cavalry formed in North Africa in
1830, which was garrisoned
in Senlis for 30 years. ■
Useful address:
Senlis tourist office,
place du Parvis
Notre Dame.
Tel: 03 44 53 06
40. Open 7 days
a week.
Handy tip: the
Tourist Office
organises guided
tours of Senlis on
Sundays and
bank holidays at
3pm
Musée de la chasse
Ville royale, Senlis est à ne pas manquer si vous passez
dans l’Oise. Arènes, cathédrale et musées rythment les
rues pavées de cette cité atypique.
Plus loin, on s’amuse à recréer le parcours
initial de l’enceinte gallo-romaine. Bâtie au
3ème siècle après Jésus Christ, la majeure
partie de cette muraille et ses tours subsistent
toujours aujourd’hui. Avec, en son cœur, les
ruines du Château royal, lieu d’élection
d’Hugues Capet en 987. Car Senlis a vu pas-