Musée de Sens
Free-admission municipal museum in Sens, housed in the Archbishops' Palace, with Gallo-Roman collections, fine arts and religious objects.
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About the museum
The origins of the museum go back to 1791, when Father Laire gathered the first collections in the Salle synodale, made up of works and books from neighboring monasteries and confiscated property. In the 19th century the antiquities unearthed within the town walls formed the core of the Gallo-Roman collection, and the bequest of Alfred Lorne in 1844 brought a first major donation. A museum wing opened in 1891 in the Hôtel Vezou, the former town hall, and was extended from 1903 after the town hall had moved out.
From 1985 onwards the collections were gradually moved to the Archbishops' Palace, next to the Saint-Étienne cathedral. The site also includes the Palais synodal and the Orangerie, which hosts exhibitions, as well as a garden. The museum, run by the City of Sens, was closed for about a year from 2025 for renovation and a new visit route.
The collections present local history, archaeology, fine arts, decorative arts and religious heritage. They include funerary stelae and Gallo-Roman mosaics, paintings, a prehistory section, a room devoted to Napoleon I and the Marrey donation. The cathedral's Treasury is associated with the museum, but is currently closed to the public by ministerial decision.
Highlights
- Gallo-Roman collections: funerary stelae and mosaics
- Archbishops' Palace, Palais synodal and Orangerie
- Marrey donation with two bronzes by Rodin
- Room devoted to Napoleon I
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent – New route devoted to Gallo-Roman archaeology, fine arts, the history of the town and the Napoleon I room.
- Founded
- 1791
- Operated by
- Ville de Sens
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Discovery visit (May to September, at 11:00 and 15:00), admission included | €5 |
|---|---|
| Themed visit, admission included | €5 |
| Themed visit with workshop during school holidays, by reservation | €5 |
| Themed visit for a group (25 people maximum) | €100Price for the group. |
| Discovery visit or visit-workshop for a class or group from outside Sens (30 people maximum), by reservation | €100Price per class or group, accompanying adults included; free for groups from Sens. |
Admission to the museum is free for individual visitors, groups and school classes; only guided tours are paid.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum asks visitors with reduced mobility to call in order to get all the information about access.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Visits for young audiences, workshop visits during school holidays, and a “family” section in the museum's programme.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the historic center of Sens, next to the Saint-Étienne cathedral.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The discovery visit takes place every day except Tuesday, May to September, at 11:00 and 15:00. Themed visits, unusual tours and lectures are offered all year round. The Treasury of the cathedral is currently closed to the public. |
