France > France regions > Picardy > Aisne > Laon
Laon
Laon is in the Aisne department of the Picardy region between St Quentin and Reims.
Laon is another of those northern towns that you might be inclined to hurtle past on your journey south. If you are looking for a rest or somewhere interesting to explore you could do a lot worse than Laon, above all for its fine cathedral.
The cathedral Notre Dame of Laon is one of the finest cathedrals in France, and dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. The chapter-house and the cloister are fine examples of early 13th century architecture, and there are numerous carvings and statues - frequently of animals - to admire. There is also a Gothic cloister and an old chapel of two storeys adjacent to the cathedral. The old episcopal palace, found next to the cathedral, is now a court-house.
The towers of the cathedral are visible for miles around, since Laon sits on a hill - it has good views across the surrounding countryside.
The town around the cathedral has many medieval buildings, and is well worth exploring.
Unexpectedly, the town also has a mini tram-metro system, recently put in place to replace the original tram system.
Laon: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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Plan a visit to Laon, France
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Map of Laon, France |
Places to visit - Laon
Any places listed above are within about 20-25 km (as the crow flies)
Information and photos
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