Laon – Cathedral, City Walls and Nature

Laon offers cultural history, fortification architecture and urban nature as different points of interest for a stay. If you are looking for a hotel in Laon, you can consider whether the cathedral and museums, walks along the walls or wildlife watching should be your main focus. Underground galleries and wooded areas add further dimensions to the city.

The Cathedral and Medieval Architecture

Notre-Dame de Laon is considered one of the finest examples of what is known as Early Gothic architecture and was completed around 1235. It was listed as a historic monument in 1840 and 1889. The cathedral can be visited free of charge every day; check the opening arrangements before your visit.

Another building with a medieval history is the Chapelle des Templiers. It was built around 1140 with an octagonal central plan and is located in the courtyard of the Musée du Pays de Laon. Since spring 2025, it has been open to the public again after more than two years of restoration. As access arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the current conditions before visiting.

Museums and Templar History

The Musée d’art et d’archéologie du Pays de Laon displays collections dating from prehistory to the 19th century. These include archaeological holdings from the Mediterranean region, as well as Gallo-Roman and medieval artefacts. The collections bring together objects from different periods.

The museum’s location is also connected with the history of the Knights Templar in Laon: the building stands on a former site belonging to the order. The chapel of the former commandery can be seen in the adjoining garden. It should not be confused with the Chapelle des Templiers in the courtyard; both places offer insight into Templar history, but in different ways. Visitors interested in architectural forms will find, alongside the collections, a tangible connection to the historic site.

City Walls, Gates and Galleries

You can walk the entire length of Laon’s city walls. Along the way, you can visit three surviving fortified gates. The walk offers views of the Ailette Valley and the first foothills of the Chemin des Dames. The Porte de Soissons is also part of the city’s fortification architecture: despite its deteriorated condition, it is an example of medieval military architecture.

You can pass under the Porte d’Ardon on foot or in a vehicle. It provides access to the southern ring of walls or to the cathedral forecourt, about 300 metres away. For a different perspective on the city, the “Secrets sous la ville” experience trail follows underground galleries with an audio guide and tells the story of Laon. Check the booking and operating arrangements for this trail in advance.

Walks and Wildlife Watching

The Cuve Saint-Vincent is a wooded urban landscape used for walking. It can be reached via paths known as “grimpettes”. One of them, the Escalier du panorama, leads to the fortified Porte des Chenizelles. Here, a green space meets another fortified city gate.

The 26-hectare Domaine de la Solitude contains a pond that you can walk all the way around. In this natural area, you can spot kingfishers and black woodpeckers, and hear tree frogs. The opportunities for wildlife watching vary: some animals can be seen, while others can be heard. The free mobile app “Balades en Pays de Laon-Par monts et merveilles” offers numerous hikes and walks in Laon and the surrounding area; check whether the app is available before your trip.

Bus route 4 connects the upper and lower towns. Check the current network status before travelling. This lets you consider cultural sites, walks and wildlife watching as different focuses for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Craonnelle, Sinceny, Boue, Crézancy, Ribemont, Guise, Bourguignon-Sous-Montbavin, Pargny-Filain

For the main travel overview: Aisne.