Laon, a medieval hilltop city of about 25,000 inhabitants, is the capital of the Aisne Département of the Picardie Region of Northern France, 155 kilometers (96 miles) northeast of Paris (map).

	Narrow alleyway, Laon.

This lovely medieval city on a hill is well worth a visit, and is generally not packed with tourists.

You can easily visit Laon on a day trip by train from Paris, or as part of a driving tour of the World War I sites in the area.

Laon is an ancient city, called Lugdunum by the Gauls. It enjoys a strategic hilltop location, with the "crowned hill" or Montagne Couronée, topped by the Cathedral Notre-Dame. From the cathedral's towers there are lovely views of the town and the surrounding countryside.

View from the towers of Notre-Dame.

With its medieval walls and ramparts, its huge and beautiful cathedral, and its narrow streets and passageways, Laon is a fun and interesting place to wander and explore.

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