Themed visits in Senlis

Street by street: The history behind the names Saturdays 19 April and 31 May at 4.30pm
"I found it an indescribable pleasure to wander through the streets and alleys of the old Roman city, so famous even today for its sieges and battles: "O poor city, how envious you are", said Henri IV.
The historic centre of Senlis is made up of cobbled streets with a central gutter, lined with markers.
"Some of the streets are reminiscent of the trades of yesteryear: Rue de la Tonnellerie, Rue de la Tannerie, Rue de la Treille and Rue des Cordeliers. Some streets are reminiscent of the trades of yesteryear: Rue de la Tonnellerie, rue de la Tannerie, rue de la Treille, rue des Cordeliers... If you take a closer look, you'll see clues to their past: Other curious street names include rue de la Poulaillerie, which still deserves its name, rue des Pigeons blancs, rue du Chat Haret, rue aux Flageards... Follow your tour guide through the streets and centuries.

"At the heart of the Senlis Arena: A Journey to the Age of the Gladiators". Saturday 26 April at 4.30pm
Discover the buried remains of Augustomagus: the 1st-century arenas. The semi-excavated arenas at Senlis are a unique site in the "Hauts de France" region. Built in the 1st century AD, around 8,000 spectators could take their seats to watch gladiatorial combat with wild beasts, theatre, concerts and pantomime.
At the end of the tour, your tour guide will give you a tasting of honey from the "Rucher des Arènes".

" Mystery visit" Saturdays 3 May, 26 July and 30 August at 4.30pm
Set off into the unknown and let yourself be surprised by this surprise tour! Follow the guide through the streets of Senlis and explore a district, a monument, an era or a theme...!

"Saint-Pierre Church: a testimony to history and architecture Saturday 10 May at 4.30pm
Welcome to the former Saint-Pierre de Senlis church, a historic monument steeped in history and spirituality, now converted into a cultural space.
Situated in the heart of the medieval town, this church bears witness to several centuries of architectural evolution and social transformation. The former church of Saint-Pierre is an example of how a religious building can be preserved and adapted to new uses. Strolling through its naves and admiring its remains, you're plunged into several centuries of history, witness to the rich past of Senlis.

This tour requires a good level of physical fitness and is not recommended for those prone to vertigo.

"Senlis, a film set: On the trail of film shoots" on Saturday 17 May at 4.30pm
Go to the other side of the set. Senlis is well known to film-makers who, since 1935, have been looking for a "natural setting" close to their Paris studios. Medieval streets, squares, historic monuments and town houses are all used for filming. Dive into the sets of "Séraphine", "The Three Musketeers" and "The King of Hearts" with your guide.

"In the footsteps of the women who left their mark on Senlis" on Saturday 24 May at 4.30 p.m.
Whether their names were Adelaide, Anne de Kiev or Séraphine, many women played a decisive role in the history of Senlis. Their influence is still very visible, as in the case of Anne de Kiev, who has a statue of herself in the Place des Arènes, not far from the school group that bears her name.  
We invite you to meet some of the women who have lived in Senlis or just passed through. Whether a queen or a painter whose destiny was shattered, they all left their mark on the town's history, whether or not they went down in history.

Guided tour of the private gardens of Senlis as part of the "Rendez-vous in the Gardens" event Saturday 7 June at 4.30pm
As part of the "Rendez-vous in the Gardens" event and in partnership with the "Jardins et Santé" association, the Tourist Office is offering you the chance to discover the history of Senlis through visits to private gardens, which are exceptionally open as part of this national event.

Booking is strongly recommended.
Guided tour ticket + admission to the gardens: €10 per person (free for children).
Support for the creation of therapeutic gardens in hospitals and care establishments.

"Les faces cachées de la muraille gallo-romaine de Senlis" (The hidden faces of the Gallo-Roman wall at Senlis) on Saturday 14 June at 4.30 p.m. 
What if the ramparts of Senlis revealed their secrets to you? Come and explore the hidden faces of the Gallo-Roman wall, a fascinating witness to the town's ancient history. This guided tour will take you on a journey of discovery of the little-known remains, unsuspected architectural details and forgotten stories that have shaped this exceptional monument. Dive into the past and unravel the mysteries of these fortifications that have stood the test of time... Senlis has more than enough to surprise you!

"When Senlis' heritage meets music" on Saturday 21 June at 4.30pm
As part of the Fête de la Musique, we invite you to take part in an exceptional guided tour of the recently restored organs in Notre-Dame Cathedral and St Frambourg Chapel, saved by the Hungarian pianist Georges Cziffra. This discovery, at the crossroads of history, architecture and music, will allow you to explore these exceptional places.

« Senlis gallo-romaine : Sur les traces de l’Antiquité » les samedis 28 juin et 2 août at 4.30pm
Discover the 1st-century Gallo-Roman arenas, usually closed to the public. Semi-excavated, they are a unique site in the Hauts de France, and could hold around 8,000 spectators! The guided tour continues in the town with the 3rd-century Gallo-Roman wall, built to protect the town from invasion, most of which still remains.

"Aux origines des Capétiens, Senlis cradle of a dynasty" on Saturday 5 July at 4.30pm
Plunge into the heart of the Middle Ages and follow in the footsteps of the first Capetian kings in Senlis, a town emblematic of the birth of the dynasty that shaped French history. From Hugues Capet to his successors, this guided tour will take you back to the key moments that marked the rise of the Capetians and their indestructible link with Senlis.

Through streets steeped in history, discover the places where it all began: the royal castle, the cathedral and the remains of Capetian power. A fascinating journey to the roots of the kingdom of France!

"Family guided tour - Discovering Senlis on Saturdays 12 July and 16 August at 4.30pm
Join us for a fun and exciting tour of this charming medieval town. Stroll along its cobbled streets, marvel at its majestic cathedral and immerse yourself in its fascinating history through anecdotes about street names and life in the Middle Ages told by your guide...
Suitable for children aged 5-12.

At the heart of the Gothic cellars: a plunge into Senlis' past le samedi 19 juillet à 16h30
Immerse yourself in the history of the Gothic cellars of Senlis! These cellars were built in the Middle Ages, during the Gothic period (12th-16th centuries), a period marked by spectacular architectural innovations.
These cellars served a variety of purposes, from wine and food storage to meeting places for merchants.
Laissez-vous guider à travers ces lieux historiques où l’architecture, la pierre et l’histoire se rencontrent !

Guided tour of the Senlis Museum of Art and Archaeology on Saturday 9 August at 4.30pm
In the prestigious setting of the former episcopal palace, travel through the centuries on 3 floors! In the basement, immerse yourself in the Gallo-Roman era, with the remains of a 2nd-century settlement in situ, the foundations of the 3rd-century wall and the remains of a Roman settlement.^e century, or the ex-voto items in the temple in the Halatte forest.
On the ground floor, the majestic vaulted hall from the XIV^e presents rare Gothic sculptures from the cathedral.
On the 1ᵉʳ floor, the chapel of Chancelier Guérin, the former studio of the Senlis painter, reveals the finest works by Thomas Couture. Let yourself also be carried away by the madness of Séraphine Louis with her floral paintings! And there are plenty of other surprises in store...

Guided tour: "Thomas Couture, a master of painting in Senlis" on Saturday 23 August at 4.30pm
Discover Thomas Couture, the 19th-century academic painter and Manet's teacher, whose history is closely linked to Senlis. On this guided tour, explore the places that marked his career, immerse yourself in his artistic world and rediscover his pictorial heritage, between academicism and modernity.

From the streets he walked to the works that bear witness to his talent, this walk takes you on a journey to the heart of the 19th century, in the footsteps of this influential artist who is all too little known today.

In the footsteps of Seraphine" tour Saturday 6 September at 4.30pm
Follow in the footsteps of Séraphine with a visit to her paintings at the Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie and a stroll through the town.
Walk past the artist's house and immerse yourself in the scenes from Martin Provost's 7 César-winning film "Séraphine", by visiting the filming locations.

"Anne of Kiev and Saint-Vincent de Senlis Abbey" on Saturday 13 September at 4.30pm
Discover the fascinating story of Anne of Kiev, Queen of France and wife of Henry I, a little-known figure who shaped the destiny of the kingdom.
As the founder of Saint-Vincent de Senlis Abbey, she left a lasting imprint on the town and its spiritual heritage. This guided tour takes you back to the 11th century, to the history of this abbey that became a secondary school, and to the story of this queen from the Ukraine, whose legacy still resonates today.

"On the ramparts of Senlis: Journey to the heart of the Middle Ages" on Saturday 27 September at 4.30 p.m.
The town of Senlis has a remarkable medieval heritage, including its ramparts, testimony to its defensive past. We invite you on an exclusive guided tour to explore this fortified enclosure and delve into the fascinating history of the royal city.

Senlis of the writers" tour on Saturday 4 October at 4.30pm
This literary visit takes you in the footsteps of great writers that the City of Senlis has inspired such as Gérard de Nerval, Alexandre Dumas, Henri Leblanc or Daniel Boulanger.
From Place Gérard de Nerval to Rue de Meaux, in the places they frequented, you will discover the story of their presence in these places.
You will savor excerpts from the most beautiful texts by these authors: poetry, fables, dialogues...
An intense emotional experience that will make you want to immerse yourself in the masterpieces of French literature.

"Queen Adelaide and the chapel of Saint-Frambourg, a royal legacy" on Saturday 11 October at 4.30 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the fascinating story of Queen Adelaide, wife of Hugues Capet, and discover her decisive role in the founding of the Chapelle Saint-Frambourg. This guided tour takes you back in time to meet an influential royal figure and an emblematic building of Senlis' heritage.

Senlis Gardens" tour on Saturday 18 October at 4.30pm
Some gardens, well hidden behind high walls, reveal little treasures such as the Gallo-Roman wall from the 3rd century AD.^e century or the majestic facades of private mansions.
This tour will also allow you to admire some of the monuments from a different angle!

"Senlis through binoculars, an unusual discovery of our heritage" on Saturday 25 October at 4.30pm
See Senlis from a new angle on this original guided tour, where history and architecture are revealed through the lens of a binocular. From the gargoyles of the cathedral to the sculpted details of the buildings, explore the town as you've never seen it before!