COMMUNE DE SENONES

The small town of Senones can be proud of its unique history. In 640, Saint Gondelbert had an abbey built there, which would become, through the centuries, a powerful abbey in Lorraine. Today, the conventual buildings have retained almost all of their 18th century configuration. The church, rebuilt in 1860, has kept its medieval bell tower. Close to this beautiful architectural ensemble, the princely residences bear witness to the grandeur and decadence of the Salm dynasty. Indeed, it was after the death of the Duke of Lorraine, Stanislas Leszcynski, that the Counts of Salm, then protectors of the abbey of Senones, negotiated their independence in 1751 and made Senones the capital of a sovereign state: the principality of Salm-Salm. The three princes who succeeded them built two castles as well as several private mansions, still visible today The principality, which covers an area of 240 km2, prospered for 42 years until the French Revolution and was officially attached to France in 1793. But the history of this small town, classified as a "Petite Cité de Caractère®" since November 2020, is not limited to its abbey or its principality. The 19th century saw the blossoming and the explosion of the textile industry in Senones. The sale of the Abbey and the Prince's property as national property favored the installation in 1806 of the first mechanical cotton mill in the Vosges Department. Senones was also severely tested during the two World Wars. Located on the front line in 1914-1918, there were many civilian and military victims. Numerous relics are visible, especially on the ridge of Roche Mère Henry at Mont Pelé, where there is a monument to the glory of the soldiers erected by Mr. Sartorio. In 1944, the town experienced the tragedy of the Deportation, since out of 354 men taken away on October 6th, 245 perished in the Concentration Camps. Today, Senones is a small, peaceful and welcoming town that is constantly being revitalized. There are hotels, gîtes, camping sites, caravan parks, tourist residences and local shops where you can spend a pleasant stay. It is located at the start of many hiking, cycling and mountain biking trails and benefits from a privileged geographical situation, close to the emblematic sites of Alsace and Lorraine.