Sens
Title
Sens
Also Known As
Maison Cronier, Sainct Pol sur Vanne lez Sens, Saint-Paul-lez-Sens, Saint-Paul-sur-Vanne, Sanctus Paulus de Vanna, Sanctus Paulus Ripae Vannae, Sanctus Paulus Senonensis
Dates
Founded early 10th c.; Premonstratensian from 1192; dissolved 1770
Dedication
Paul
Affiliation
Medieval Diocese
Circary
History
Saint-Paul de Sens was founded by the 930s. In 1192, it joined the Premonstratensian Order and became a priory of the abbey of Dilo. In 1221, it was elevated to the rank of abbey, but was never a large or wealthy house. It became a commendatory abbey in 1531.
Because of a lack of resources, Sens was suppressed by the order's General Chapter in 1770. Very little of the former monastic complex remains today.
Because of a lack of resources, Sens was suppressed by the order's General Chapter in 1770. Very little of the former monastic complex remains today.
Heads of Community
Abbots
A., fl. 1205
Nicolas, ?-1220
Robert, 1221-?
Gilbert, 1240-1244
Isambert, fl. 1244
Etienne, 1247-1250
Clemens, 1250-1262
Lambert, fl. 1262
Etienne II, fl. 1268
Clemens II, 1279-1280
Eudes, 1280-1283
Guillaume, 1292-?
Eudes, fl. 1307
Guillaume II, ca. 1370-1375
Jean Housseau, 1376-1397
Nicolas II Bradin, ?-1400
Nicolas III Brachu, 1424-1429
Matthias, 1442-1446
Jean II Jolivet, 1453-1460
Jean III Fouré, 1460-1468
Simon Senan, 1469-1476
Jacques Chenin, 1478-1488
Gilles Chenin, ?-1501
Jean IV des Antes, ?-1506
Guillaume II?
Etienne II de Meez, ca. 1513-1531
Jacques II Spifame, 1531-1558
A., fl. 1205
Nicolas, ?-1220
Robert, 1221-?
Gilbert, 1240-1244
Isambert, fl. 1244
Etienne, 1247-1250
Clemens, 1250-1262
Lambert, fl. 1262
Etienne II, fl. 1268
Clemens II, 1279-1280
Eudes, 1280-1283
Guillaume, 1292-?
Eudes, fl. 1307
Guillaume II, ca. 1370-1375
Jean Housseau, 1376-1397
Nicolas II Bradin, ?-1400
Nicolas III Brachu, 1424-1429
Matthias, 1442-1446
Jean II Jolivet, 1453-1460
Jean III Fouré, 1460-1468
Simon Senan, 1469-1476
Jacques Chenin, 1478-1488
Gilles Chenin, ?-1501
Jean IV des Antes, ?-1506
Guillaume II?
Etienne II de Meez, ca. 1513-1531
Jacques II Spifame, 1531-1558
Status
Abbey
Archival Sources
Auxerre, Archives départementales de l'Yonne
H 470 - H 488 (12th-18th c.)
Paris, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
MS 1837/8, fol. 281 (« Liste des abbez de l'abbaye de Saint-Paul-de-Sens, ordre de Premontré, de l'origine à l'année 1244 »)
H 470 - H 488 (12th-18th c.)
Paris, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
MS 1837/8, fol. 281 (« Liste des abbez de l'abbaye de Saint-Paul-de-Sens, ordre de Premontré, de l'origine à l'année 1244 »)
Reference
AD, 505-508
BOP, I: 280
CG: 263968 (1261)
Cottineau, II: col. 3008
GC, XII: 252-254
Hugo, II: 499-506
MP, II: 530-532; III: 629
PAS: Cloister (detail)
VW, 246-247
BOP, I: 280
CG: 263968 (1261)
Cottineau, II: col. 3008
GC, XII: 252-254
Hugo, II: 499-506
MP, II: 530-532; III: 629
PAS: Cloister (detail)
VW, 246-247
Bibliography
Cailleaux, Denis. “Le site et les bâtiments de l’abbaye Saint-Paul-sur-Vanne, ordre de prémontré.” Bulletin de la Société archéologique de Sens, New Series, 5 (2006): 173–219.
Image Credit
Surviving architectural details of the cloister of Saint-Paul de Sens, early 20th c. PAS.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Sens,” A Premonstratensian Atlas, accessed October 16, 2026, https://yvonneseale.org/atlas/items/show/677.