Description
Laon is a city in the Aisne département of Picardie, in northern France.
Activities and Sightseeing
The fine early Gothic cathedral. It is one of the finest in France, with openwork towars and a four-storey nave elevation. The interior is extremely light and spacious. The west towers feature an octagonal top storey with square turrets at the angles on top of the square bottom storey. They are decorated with the figures of sixteen oxen, said to commemorate a miraculous ox that appeared to pull a cartload of stone to the hilltop site.
Saint-Martin abbey church and buildings, with a fine cloister garden in what is now the city library's courtyard.
Fine 17th and 18th century houses everywhere in the city.
The Museum, with a fine collection of classical antiquities and the alarming 'transi' tomb (the effigy of a decaying corpse) of Guillaume de Harcigny in the entrance. A fine 12c octagonal Templar chapel stands in the garden.
Climb the cathedral tower. The tourist office, in a 12c building next to the cathedral, arranges tours and it is best to reserve your tickets before time as numbers are limited.
Shopping
Pave de Laon sweet pastilles.
Lodging
See the listing of the Hotels in Laon.
Hotel de la Banniere de France is located just behind the Hotel de Ville in the historic centre of the city.