Situated where the Vanne converges with the Yonne River in the Burgundy region of north-central France not far south from Paris, the town of Sens was first settled by the Romans. Amazingly, evidence of the town’s original design can still be found today, along with a number of historical attractions, making this a great stop on any road trip through the region.

One of the main reasons for visiting Sens is to see the 11th century masterpiece, St. Stephen’s Cathedral (also known as the Cathedral of St. Etienne or Sens Cathedral), which is one of the oldest Gothic-style structures in the entire country. Also of note, the serres municipales de Sens, or ‘municipal greenhouses,’ are free to the public and open every day! Here, visitors will delight in the magnificent Cactus House, Winter Garden and Epiphyte House, which is home to a variety of carnivorous plants and orchids, to name only a few.