Senlisse

In the heart of France, nestled within the Île-de-France region, lies the charming village of Senlisse. Senlisse first appeared in historical records during the latter half of the 9th century. In 862, King Charles the Bald, deeply devoted to Saint Denis, gifted Senlisse (then Scindeliciae) to the Abbey of Saint-Denis. The land included fields, vineyards, forests, and meadows. The village church, likely built around this time, was dedicated to Saint Denis. The village’s patronal feast remained “la Saint-Denis” throughout the centuries. Senlisse remains quiet in medieval records. It reappears in the 16th century with a devastating plague. This “Plague of Senlisse” in 1597 forced the remaining villagers, including the priest, to flee. Even the lord of Cour-Senlisse sought refuge in Dampierre. The village was deserted for three months. Life eventually returned to Senlisse. A notary act from 1598 mentions a school, a “contract for the acquisition of the small presbytery or school.” In 1610, villagers gathered to borrow money from the lord of Cour-Senlisse to restore the crumbling presbytery. Senlisse, initially under the châtellenie of Beaurain (linked to Saint-Denis Abbey), became part of the Duchy of Chevreuse through an exchange with Cardinal Charles de Lorraine. The duchy’s capital moved from Chevreuse to Dampierre. Later, in 1739, the Duke of Luynes bought Senlisse’s fief. The Château de la Cour-Senlisse served as the village’s seigneurial house. Thanks to Abbé Maigrot, Senlisse’s priest from 1759 to 1784, we have insights into 18th-century life. The schoolmaster and vicar lived near the old cemetery, purchased in 1701 by the fabrique, which owned meadows and arable land. Education was consistent. François Rilleau, from 1753 to 1762, held various roles, including tailor, gravedigger, beadle, bell ringer, cantor, and schoolmaster. In 1789, the villagers drafted their list of grievances for the Estates General, offering a glimpse into rural life before the French Revolution. Louis Nolleau, a teacher, documented Senlisse in 1900, focusing on 19th-century education. The school, initially housed in a rented building, received a dedicated building in 1842, thanks to the Duke of Luynes. This included the teacher’s lodging. The teacher also served as town clerk and sometimes clock repairman. The school closed for several months during summer. The commune covered heating costs from 1861. A sewing mistress joined in 1866. A school library opened in 1872. Adult classes began in 1891, and a “school society for the protection of animals” followed in 1899. School attendance grew: 42 students in 1848, rising to 73 by 1897, and remaining steady until the Maréchaux quarry closed in 1930, leading workers to seek jobs in Paris. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the Chevreuse Valley, especially Vaux de Cernay, attract artists and early tourists. Senlisse’s economy remained rooted in agriculture and livestock. Its subsoil was extensively mined. Bretons once settled to extract millstone for Dampierre Castle. Paris, needing paving stones, rented the Maréchaux wood, extracting millstone and Fontainebleau sandstone. The quarry, opened in 1879, operated until 1930. Two quarries existed: Pont Vert to the west and Grand Moulin to the east. Open-pit mining allowed millstone extraction before reaching the sandstone layer. The millstone was used for Paris’ sewers, and the sandstone paved the streets. Senlisse’s population, around 275 in 1713, grew to 502 by 1790. It fluctuated throughout the following centuries. Today, Senlisse offers a blend of history and modern amenities, a testament to its enduring spirit.