Notre-Dame Cathedral was built, for the most part, during the third quarter of the 12th century, when the royal city of Senlis was experiencing a true "golden age".

With its portal of the crowning of the Virgin (12th century), its monumental 78 meter south tower (13th century) and transept facades all masterpieces of the high and late Gothic, Notre Dame de Senlis takes its place among the most noticeable cathedrals in France.

The word "cathedral" comes from the Latin cathedra and the Greek kathedra, derived from hedra which means "chair".

The common buildings of the canons must have been located to the north of the present site of the cathedral, as archaeological excavations have revealed the presence of kitchens before the 12th and 13th centuries.

The construction of Notre-Dame de Senlis was started around 1151 on the site of older sanctuaries, under the impulse of Bishop Pierre (1134-1151).

[2] The main drivers of this construction were the frequent presence of the kings of France, and the very strong personality of the bishop.

In the right compartment of the lintel above the door is the image of the Virgin’s Dormition, which, in the Bible, describes her death as painless while she sleeps.

Around 1240, the southern tower was extended by a remarkable two-storey spire, a magnificent jewel of the cathedral, and the interior perspective was interrupted by a piercing transept which left the nave shorter than the choir.

Thanks to the donations of the kings Louis XII and Francis I, the upper parts of the cathedral were reconstructed by raising them by 6 metres, the aisles were doubled and the side facades had a very rich flamboyant decoration.