Kyriad Laon

Departing from medieval Laon, which you absolutely must visit, this circuit through the hills offers a thousand surprises: Romanesque churches, preserved villages, washhouses and astonishing grape vines.

This hiking route from Laon allows you to discover the Via Francigena. This via is the common name of an ancient pilgrimage route from France to Rome and Puglia. This section of the trail connects the village of Laon to Bouconville. Many campsites are available on this road.

This route lends itself to days of strolls in the urban and historical environment once appreciated by the writer Victor Hugo. Laon, city of art and history is surrounded by 7 kilometers of ramparts. This perched medieval city is home to more than eighty registered or classified historical monuments. Dominating the surrounding countryside, the proud upper town of Laon, crowned by Notre-Dame Cathedral, conceals architectural treasures to discover during this urban walk.

This hiking route from Laon is suitable for family outings. In this hollow of the valley, the most prestigious wine in France was once produced, the one that celebrated the coronation of kings: Saint-Vincent. Of these vineyards, there is almost nothing left: the "centre of gravity" of Laon finds itself inhabited by gardens: the poetry of a city center in the middle of the countryside.

You leave from Laon to join Corbeny in the direction of Champagne. You will pass through Bièvres, a green station in which there are underground stone quarries and the Saint-Pierre church with its slate-covered bell tower. A particularly interesting village is Bouconville-Vauclair, where the Abbey of Vauclair, the Château de la Bôve and a network of trenches from the 14-18 war are located. Finally, in Corbeny, you can see the Saint-Marcoul Oratory. This trail is part of the 2000 km long route...