2hrs from Calais and 1hr from Reims, the town of Laon is a jewel that is worth exploring over a weekend in the Aisne department!
A Gothic cathedral that can be visited in an entertaining way, legends that will fire the imagination of both children and grown-ups with climbs and enjoyable walks: the "crowned mountain", so dear to Victor Hugo, looks as if it was taken straight from a book of fantasy stories!
And right at the top, at the peak of the crowned mountain, there it is: Laon Cathedral!
Did you know that Laon Cathedral is one of the first cathedrals built in the Gothic style? And that it was then used as a model for the construction of the cathedral of Chartres?
Spend a moment at one of the café's outside seating areas on the piazza to enjoy a hot chocolate: This is the ideal time to look up towards the sky at the dizzying heights of the edifice and imagine how this intricate stonework made its way up there…
Perched right on top of a small hill, the silhouette of the Cathedral of Laon can be seen for miles around.
So, imagine the spectacle when you climb to the top of one of its towers!
Getting to the very top of the cathedral's towers
204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210 steps to climb..., Although it is not without difficulty, it is definitely worth the effort! The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking!
The ascent of the towers also provides an opportunity to learn about a legend that has spread in the region, namely the "the legend of the oxen of Laon". It is said that when the cathedral was being built and the stone was being carted up the mountain, one of the teams collapsed with fatigue. A miraculous white ox is said to have appeared in the sky to lend its support in carrying the stone. The architects' way of paying tribute to the oxen was to engrave them in the stone.
The "grimpettes" (climbs) provide an alternative way of exploring Laon
Since the Gallo-Roman period, the link between the upper and lower towns was provided by the so-called "grimpettes"
These pathways were originally formed to transport the stone needed to build the upper town. A certain number of these climbs still exist, making it possible to enjoy a beautiful walk exploring the natural heritage.
The historic tour of Laon
For car lovers, the historic tour of Laon is held every first weekend in June. 3 days to admire 1000 cars coming from far and wide: United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, France… and meet with these enthusiasts of classic cars such as Jaguar®, Triumph®, etc.
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