SENLIS

town, Oise dpartement, Picardie region, northern France. It lies along the Nonette River, which is a tributary of the Oise, 32 miles (51 km) north-northeast of Paris, in a forested area. Senlis, whose name is derived from its 4th-century Roman name, Civitas Silvanectium (City of the Silvanectes), became part of the French royal domain under Hugh Capet, founder of the Capetian dynasty, who was proclaimed king there in 987. Senlis is rich in medieval buildings. The Church (formerly the Cathedral) of Notre-Dame, with its elegant 13th-century spire (256 feet high), constitutes one of the finest surviving examples of le-de-France Gothic, despite some Renaissance additions. It was begun in 1155 but was not completed until the 16th century. Senlis also has other medieval churches, Renaissance-era houses, and a royal chateau. The old centre of the town has an inner perimeter of massive Gallo-Roman walls and the remains of an outer ring of medieval walls. Senlis is now a popular resort for Parisians. Its industries include metalworking and furniture manufacture. Pop. (1982) 14,345.