Parcours audioguidé pour visiter Laon

To discover the essentials of Laon, plan for a full day. The upper town deserves at least four to five hours to appreciate the Notre-Dame cathedral, walk the ramparts and wander through the medieval lanes. If you wish to explore the underground galleries and visit the museums, allow rather a day and a half. The Ryo audioguide accompanies you on an optimised circuit that lets you cover the major sites in about three hours of narrated walking. History and architecture enthusiasts can easily devote an entire weekend to it, so rich is the heritage and so worthy of a lingering pause are the views over the Picardy plain.

From the SNCF station located in the lower town, several options are available to reach the perched historic city. The automatic Poma funicular, inaugurated in 1989, is the most original and practical means. This little rail train climbs the slope in a few minutes and drops you off right in the heart of the upper town. Free shuttles also run regularly between the station and the plateau. For the more athletic, the climb on foot up the historic stairs or the paved ramps makes for a fine introduction, even if the effort is considerable with nearly a hundred metres of elevation gain. By car, follow the signs towards the historic town centre.

The Notre-Dame cathedral majestically dominates your discovery with its unique lantern towers and its spectacular Gothic facade. The medieval ramparts offer an exceptional panoramic walk over the surrounding countryside, particularly striking at sunset. The canonical quarter preserves remarkable old dwellings, while the Saint-Martin abbey bears witness to the city's monastic past. The fortified gates, notably the Ardon gate, tell the military history of this stronghold. The Ryo audioguide takes you precisely to discover these architectural jewels, revealing their secrets and anecdotes. Don't miss either the episcopal palace and its gardens, as well as the Templars' chapel for a complete immersion in the medieval atmosphere.

The underground galleries of Laon form a fascinating network of tunnels dug into the limestone hill since the Middle Ages. These cavities served as storehouses, refuges and extraction quarries. Guided tours are generally organised by the tourist office, mainly from April to October. It is strongly recommended to book in advance, especially in summer, as groups are limited for reasons of safety and preservation. The constant temperature hovers around twelve degrees, so remember to bring a warm garment. The visit lasts about an hour and a half and requires good mobility, as some passages are narrow. Reservations are made directly with the Laon tourist office.

The cuisine of Laon draws on Picardy and Champagne traditions. Maroilles cheese, produced in the region, pairs wonderfully with the leek flamiche, that emblematic savoury tart. The restaurants of the upper town often offer Amiens duck pâté and the ficelle picarde, a gratinated crêpe filled with ham and mushrooms. On the sweet side, don't miss the macarons of Amiens and the bêtises de Cambrai sold in the local confectioneries. The artisanal breweries of the surrounding area produce characterful beers that pair perfectly with these specialities. In autumn, game-based dishes take pride of place at the good tables, reflecting the richness of the surrounding forests.

The climb up the towers of Notre-Dame cathedral offers an unforgettable experience with a breathtaking panoramic view. The visits are generally organised by the tourist office or the guide-lecturers, mainly from May to September. The ascent requires good physical condition, as you'll climb several hundred steps in narrow spiral staircases. Groups are limited and prior booking is strongly advised. The visit lets you admire up close the famous stone oxen that adorn the towers, legendary symbols of Laon. On a clear day, the panorama extends to the far reaches of Picardy and Champagne. Check the times and availability directly with the tourist office.

Several free parking options are available to explore Laon with peace of mind. In the lower town, vast free car parks are located near the station and the departure point of the funicular, an ideal solution for then going up to the upper town. On the plateau, the Couloire car park, close to the southern ramparts, offers numerous free spaces with an open view. The Champ de Foire car park, slightly out of the way but spacious, remains free all year round. On weekdays, you'll generally find free spaces along the boulevards that encircle the upper town. On weekends and public holidays, preferably arrive in the morning to have more choice. Avoid parking in the historic heart, where spaces are rare and often paid.

The surroundings of Laon abound with heritage and natural treasures. The Vauclair abbey, fifteen kilometres away, impresses with its romantic Cistercian ruins nestled in a setting of greenery. The Chemin des Dames, steeped in history, offers moving memorial circuits in the footsteps of the First World War. Lovers of religious heritage will appreciate the Prémontré abbey, magnificently restored, or the Soissons cathedral. The Saint-Gobain forest offers beautiful hikes and is home to the royal glassworks. Further north, the fortifications of Coucy-le-Château bear witness to medieval military architecture with the most imposing keep in Europe before its destruction. These sites are generally accessible in under thirty minutes' drive from Laon.

Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant moments: the low light brings out the pale stone of the cathedral, the ramparts can be walked without excessive heat and the upper town stays quiet. Summer works well if you want to take advantage of guided tours and events, which are more frequent during the holidays.

Winter should not be ruled out either: perched on its hill, Laon often takes on the look of an island above the mists of the plain, a sight the locals know well. Simply bring windproof clothing, as the plateau is very exposed, and check the opening times of the monuments, which are generally reduced out of season.

Laon owes its nickname of the crowned mountain to the belt of ramparts that circles its plateau over several kilometres. The path can largely be followed on foot and alternates medieval curtain walls, fortified gates such as the Porte d'Ardon or the Porte de Soissons, and openings onto the Picardy plain stretching as far as the eye can see.

Along the way, the Templars' chapel with its octagonal plan, tucked into the museum garden, the Cuve Saint-Vincent walk laid out in a green little valley and the lanes lined with old houses all make for welcome stops. The Ryo audio guide offers a dedicated Laon route following this thread between ramparts, gates and cathedral.