Laon brings together different ways to explore history and landscape: Notre-Dame represents Early Gothic architecture, the city walls run alongside three surviving fortified gates, and wooded natural areas add a distinctive touch. When planning your trip, you can give different weight to culture, walks and nature watching.

Cathedral, Chapel and Museum

Notre-Dame de Laon Cathedral was completed around 1235 and is considered one of the finest examples of what is known as Early Gothic architecture. It was designated a historic monument in 1840 and 1889. Admission is free every day; check the visiting arrangements before your trip.

The Porte de Soissons also reflects the medieval history: despite its state of decay, it is an example of medieval military architecture. The Chapelle des Templiers offers a different architectural impression. It is located in the courtyard of the Musée d’art et d’archéologie du Pays de Laon and was built around 1140 with an octagonal central plan. Since spring 2025, it has been open to the public again after more than two years of restoration. Check the visiting arrangements in advance.

The museum’s collections span from prehistory to the 19th century and include archaeological holdings from the Mediterranean region. Artifacts from the Gallo-Roman and medieval periods are also on display. The museum building stands on a former site of the Knights Templar of Laon; the chapel of the former commandery can be seen in the adjacent garden. Several historical themes thus sit side by side: the time span covered by the collections, archaeological finds and the history of the site.

City Walls and Fortified Gates

You can walk the entire length of Laon’s city walls. Along the way, you can see three surviving fortified gates. A walk along the walls also offers views of the Ailette Valley and the first foothills of the Chemin des Dames. The combination of fortifications and landscape makes this walk a distinctive way to explore Laon.

You can pass under the Porte d’Ardon on foot or in a vehicle. It provides access to the southern section of the city walls or to the cathedral forecourt, about 300 metres away.

Trails and Nature in Laon

The Cuve Saint-Vincent is a wooded urban landscape used for walking. The paths leading there are called “grimpettes.” One of them, the Escalier du panorama, leads to the fortified Porte des Chenizelles. These trails therefore offer both a wooded setting and a fortified gate to see.

The Domaine de la Solitude is a 26-hectare natural area with a pond that you can walk all the way around. You may spot kingfishers and black woodpeckers there, and hear tree frogs. These natural areas offer a different focus from the cathedral, museum and city walls: here, the emphasis is on landscape and wildlife watching rather than architecture and collections.

Activities and Getting Around

The “Secrets sous la ville” experience trail uses an audio guide to tell the story of Laon along underground galleries. As booking and operating arrangements may change, check them before making plans. For more walks and hikes in and around Laon, the free “Balades en Pays de Laon-Par monts et merveilles” mobile app offers numerous suggestions; also check that the app is available before your trip.

Bus route 4 connects the upper and lower towns. Check the public transport network before your trip. This lets you choose between exploring on foot and taking a bus for this change of district, without assuming a specific route or travel time.

Discover more destinations: Résigny, Buironfosse, Fresnes, Berry-Au-Bac, Saint-Eugène, Ronchères, Ambleny, La Chapelle-Sur-Chézy.

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