Abbey of Saint-Martin

The Abbey of Saint-Martin, in Laon

The Abbey of Saint-Martin is an imposing medieval religious ensemble of Laon, a witness of the monastic life of the town. The Laon audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary of the Premonstratensians, whose buildings today shelter the municipal library.

The medieval abbey of the Premonstratensians

Here is a new witness of the medieval era of Laon: its Abbey of Saint-Martin, rather imposing. This abbey was founded in the twelfth century and entrusted to the order of the Premonstratensians, an order of regular canons born in the region, which knew a great influence. The Abbey of Saint-Martin became an important religious, intellectual and spiritual centre, endowed with a vast abbey church of Gothic style and numerous conventual buildings. Like many religious establishments, it was affected by the French Revolution, which put an end to monastic life and made of its buildings a civil use. The abbey church, restored, still testifies to the beauty of the Laon Gothic, and the old buildings of the abbey today shelter the municipal library, perpetuating in their way the vocation of knowledge of the place. Located in a district of the upper town, the abbey constitutes a fine heritage ensemble. A historic sanctuary and a witness of the monastic life, the Abbey of Saint-Martin is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the imposing abbey founded in the twelfth century and entrusted to the order of the Premonstratensians, an important religious and intellectual centre, with its vast Gothic abbey church and its conventual buildings, assigned to a civil use after the Revolution, that today shelter the municipal library, perpetuating the vocation of knowledge of the place. The Abbey of Saint-Martin is a witness of medieval Laon. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Abbey of Saint-Martin lies in the upper town of Laon, reachable on foot. The abbey church, a place of worship, can be visited with respect; the old buildings shelter the municipal library, which follows its own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the character of the place.

What is the Abbey of Saint-Martin of Laon?

An imposing medieval abbey founded in the twelfth century and entrusted to the order of the Premonstratensians, an important religious and intellectual centre; endowed with a vast Gothic abbey church, it was assigned to a civil use after the Revolution, and its old buildings today shelter the municipal library.

Where is the Abbey of Saint-Martin of Laon?

In the upper town of Laon, in France.