Fire in the canonial district 967 (≈ 967)
Destruction of the neighborhood and episcopal group.
978–999
Construction of a new residence
Construction of a new residence 978–999 (≈ 989)
By Archbishop Séguin, south of the cathedral.
XIVe siècle
Redesign of the palace
Redesign of the palace XIVe siècle (≈ 1450)
Under William II of Melun, adviser to Charles V.
1683
Fire from stables
Fire from stables 1683 (≈ 1683)
Later reconstruction by Daviler in 1758.
1905
End of the Archdiocese
End of the Archdiocese 1905 (≈ 1905)
Separation of Church and State.
1980
Opening of the Museums of Sens
Opening of the Museums of Sens 1980 (≈ 1980)
Cultural reallocation of the palace.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The façade and the door: list of 1862 - The François I building from the entrance door and the Henri II building: classification by order of 30 October 1909 - The built and unbuilt parts of the archiepiscopal ensemble, with the archaeological soils and remains they contain, as represented on the plan annexed to the decree, including, in particular, the Cathedral of Saint Etienne with the building housing the sacristy and the treasure, the former chapel of the archbishops, in its entirety, the chapel of the Perseverance, the former capitular hall, and the passage linking it to the cathedral, in its entirety; the path around the cathedral bedside; the whole house of the work with its courtyard; the court of the ancient archdiocese and the garden, its walls and its gate; the synodal palace in its entirety with its parvis, the stables, the wing Francis I, also known as wing Louis XII, the wing Henry II, the former library of archbishops, the orangery and the house of the Swiss, in total (cf. BV 88, 89, 145 to 148, 162): by order of 1 July 2014
Key figures
Séguin - Archbishop of Sens (978–999)
Sponsor of the post-fire residence.
Guillaume II de Melun - Archbishop (1345–1376)
Counsellor to Charles V, remania the palace.
Daviler - Architect (18th century)
Reconstructed the stables in 1758.
Origin and history
The Archepiscopal Palace of Sens, located behind St. Stephen's Cathedral, was the seat of the Archdiocese until the separation of the Church and the State in 1905. Today, it houses the Museums of Sens and the Treasure of the Cathedral. The architectural complex, organised around a central courtyard, combines medieval elements and 18th century buildings, such as the former stables or the Orangerie, testifying to its evolution over the centuries.
The history of the palace dates back at least to the tenth century, marked by a fire in 967 destroying the canonial district. Archbishop Séguin (978–999) built a new residence south of the cathedral. In the 12th century, the palace, with an orchard, already occupied the site of the current gardens. In the 13th and 14th centuries, it was recast, notably under the episcopate of William II of Melun (1345–1376), adviser to King Charles V.
The stables, rebuilt after a fire in 1683, were enlarged in 1758 by architect Daviler in a classic style. The palace, separated into two distinct areas after the 14th century works, now includes protected elements such as the Synodal Palace, the Archbishops' Chapel, and the Francis I wing. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1862, 1909 and 2014, it illustrates the historical importance of Sens as an archiepiscopal seat.
The site also includes archaeological remains and spaces such as the house of the Work or the garden, reflecting its central role in the religious and political life of the region. Since the 1980s, it has been dedicated to heritage conservation and culture, with temporary exhibitions in the Orangerie.
Sens, the seat of a major bishopric since the fourth century, saw the development of an extended episcopal complex around his cathedral. The reconstruction of the palace over the centuries, especially after fires or damage, shows its adaptation to the needs of archbishops and architectural evolution, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
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