Kings of France, knights, cardinals, all the kingdom's powerful came to Laon for better or for worse.  Stories of secret love affairs, power games, dangerous liaisons, paradise can sometimes become a veritable hell.

In the summer of 1594 the king wanted to affirm that it was he the master of the lands in Laon.

06. Henry the 4th Citadel

Admire the majesty of this edifice's lines and volumes !

09. The Cathedral

From here you have an unobstructed view of the Saint Vincent basin, this magnificent island of greenery surrounded by the city.

07. The Saint Vincent Basin

AbÃ©lard was a great thinker. He attempted to reconcile faith and reason.

03. Ruelle AbÃ©lard

It is one of only three doors remaining from the original 14 that existed in the middle age city.

08. Porte d'Ardon

A marvelous pocket of middle age and renaissance architecture.

02. Dauphin Court

From this side of the Bishop's palace the view is so stunning that one cannot decide where to rest one's gaze.

05. The Samoussy forest

Once upon a time...before the revolution...it was the residence of the Bishop Duke of Laon.

04. The Bishop's Palace

Let's head out into the city in the footsteps of this world's powerful.