Notre-Dame Cathedral
Laon’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, built in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, is among the first Gothic cathedrals of France. Its towers inhabited by curious ox sculptures, in tribute to the animals that once hauled the stones, make it a unique monument. A date on the forecourt at sunset offers both a monumental setting and a real moment of calm to share side by side.
Ramparts and Porte d’Ardon
Laon’s ramparts can be walked almost in full, from one medieval gate to the next. From the southern rampart, the view stretches across the Aisne plain, sometimes as far as the Soissonnais hills. You pass Porte d’Ardon and Porte des Chenizelles, you sense the old monastic districts. A date on top of the walls naturally takes on the air of a solemn, gentle getaway.
From the Poma to Saint-Martin Abbey
The Poma, the legendary cable car linked to the station, used to lift visitors to the upper level. Its modernisation into gentle shuttles keeps the spirit of the upper town. Saint-Martin Abbey and the Bourg district round out the discovery. On Lyad, locals share their favourite corners; it is up to you to pick someone to push open the door of a small cellar or a tearoom with.
Date ideas
- Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Upper Town
- Southern Rampart
- Porte d’Ardon
- Saint-Martin Abbey
- Poma cable car