Sens is a commune in the Yonne department in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in north-central France, 120 km from Paris.

As well as having several interesting historical monuments - above all the cathedral - Sens is also an important local shopping town and local regional centre for the Yonne department.

The main reason visitors come to Sens is to see the gothic Cathedral Saint-Etienne that dominates the town. The cathedral is especially important because it was the first gothic cathedral built in France and acted as a role model for many other gothic style cathedrals built later both in France and elsewhere in Europe.

Built in the 12th century from 1130 onwards, the cathedral replaced an earlier roman style cathedral on the same site. The new architecture was intended to bring a new sense of light into churches, principally by using side-supports along the length of the church on the outside (called flying buttresses), which reduced the structural importance of the walls themselves, and enabled windows to be added along the sides.

On the outside it is the facade with the entranceway and large rose window that is the main highlight, and the numerous statues and carved stonework that have been incorporated in the design. The transepts, added in the 16th century are in the later 'flamboyant gothic' style and also have impressive entrances. Inside, it is the 13th century stained glass windows that are the main attraction, and the 18th century organ.

Other highlights in Sens
If you are interested in church relics and ornaments, be sure to visit the museum in the Bishop's Palais next to the cathedral which has a very good collection of medieval religious art. The dungeons in the palace are especially interesting, with walls covered in graffiti by prisoners in the medieval period.

Take a look at the market hall across from the cathedral (market day in Sens is Monday, Friday and Saturday) then explore the lovely streets in the town, with expensive boutiques set in medieval colombage houses.

The pedestrianised Grande Rue is the centre of the old town and activity in Sens, and the place to go when you are here for shopping.

In the centre of Sens you can see the Maison Abraham, a very lovely 16th century colombage house. The ornately carved corner post is an example of an 'arbre de Jessé' (which represents the family tree of Christ starting with Jesse, father of King David). The Maison Jean-Cousin is another impressive medieval house, with a most unusual external tower and staircase.

There are also various parks in Sens, and the town has been awarded 4* in the 'Towns in Bloom' awards. The most notable is the Parc du Moulin à Tan which is a large park to the south of the town centre with tropical greenhouses, and in the centre of Sens you can visit the gardens of the orangerie, next to the Bishops Palace, and the gardens in Square Jean Cousin (on Cours Chambonas).

Finally, the Yonne river banks in the town are very pleasant, and overlooked by the Saint-Maurice church.