The best cycling routes around Crécy-Sur-Serre

Imagined in the 19th century by the industrialist Jean-Baptiste André Godin, the Familistère de Guise is a unique place in France. Conceived as a true “social palace” for the workers of his factory, this architectural complex combines housing, collective spaces, and cultural facilities. Today transformed into a museum and visitor site, the place offers an immersion into the social and industrial history of the Hauts-de-France region.

The charming Romanesque chapel of the Templars is located in the museum park. The Order of the Temple was founded in 1128 and the bishop of Laon favored their installation in the city on land belonging to the king of France, located south of the canons' enclosure. The Saint-Jean-Baptiste chapel was erected around 1140: the octagon and the choir are the oldest parts; the porch was added a few decades later.

Ardon Gate

The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is listed as a historical monument: nave from the twelfth century, square tower of the crossing from the thirteenth century, traces of fortifications on the walls of the transept and on the bell tower from the fifteenth century. The rose window was influenced by that of the cathedral Notre-Dame de Laon.

Vorges is a small village located approximately 6 km south of Laon, in the Hauts-de-France region. The village has a rich history dating back to Roman times, when it was part of the territory of the Rèmois, a Gallic tribe. In the 5th century, the Germanic and Frankish people settled in the area, which led to the further development of the village. During the early Middle Ages, under the rule of Clovis and the influence of Bishop Saint Rémy, Christian influence began to grow in Vorges. Archaeological excavations have uncovered Merovingian tombs, which contain some of the first Christian cemeteries in the region. In the 12th century, Vorges was mentioned in several historical documents and had a thriving wine-growing sector with 512 vineyards owned by various abbeys. The village also has a fortified church, built between 1180 and 1230, which was reinforced during the Hundred Years' War to withstand attacks from the English and Burgundians.

The Porte d’Ardon is one of the medieval city gates of Laon. The current structure dates from the 13th and 14th centuries. Originally, this gate was called “Porte Royée” because of its proximity to the royal palace of Laon. The gate consists of a châtelet with a portcullis and used to have doors. There was also a barbican, but this has now disappeared. Under the gate there was a fountain and wash houses, some of which still exist. The Porte d’Ardon was classified as a historical monument in 1909.

When you enter, take note of the well-preserved death statue of Guillaume de Harcigny (14th century). This healer learned his trade from Arab doctors in Syria. He was the personal physician of Charles VI and a psychoanalyst avant la lettre. The commandery of the Order of the Temple dates from the 12th century, housed the administration and served as a recruitment centre for monks-knights. After the order was abolished, the commandery came into the hands of the Hospitallers of Jerusalem. The cemetery of the Templars is now a garden. The Romanesque chapel with its bell tower and a choir that ends in an apse with a semi-dome are well preserved. Inside, you can see two statues of prophets from the facade of the cathedral.

The Palais de Justice in Laon, also known as the former Bishop's Palace, is a historic building that now serves as a courthouse. It is located on Place Aubry, next to Laon Cathedral. The building has a rich history dating back to the 6th century, when it was originally built as a bishop's palace. Over the centuries, it has undergone several renovations and extensions, particularly after being damaged during the fiscal revolt of 1112.