The best road cycling routes around Vigneux-Hocquet

The faithful trust in the help of the Mother of God – who in France is always venerated under the title “Notre-Dame” (which corresponds to the German name “Our Lady”) – was expressed by the French nun, mystic and Doctor of the Church, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (religious name Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, 1873 to 1897) as follows: “In trials or difficulties I turn to Mother Mary, whose gaze alone is enough to dispel all fear.”

For its opening hours, the cathedral is open every day from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm and can be visited free, however, there is an audioguided tour for 7 €

The present Notre-Dame de Laon cathedral is the heir to an ancient building, built under the Carolingians and destroyed during the communal insurrection of 1112. Completed around 1235, the cathedral underwent a major restoration in the 19th century, and again in the 2000s. Note that since September 3, 2021, the building has been home to a “Blueberry of Memory” (a work of art by artist Matt Seaward) offered by the Bishop of Durham (UK) in memory of the soldiers who fell in the First World War.

Here, visitors will find an early masterpiece of Gothic architecture, a style often found in this part of France – Chartres and Reims, for example, attract enthusiastic international visitors and are far more famous than Laon. In the following 13th century, many Gothic churches were built, not only in their country of origin, France, but also beyond the country's borders, where this skyward-striving, light-filled architectural style was now in great demand for new churches (for example, the laying of the foundation stone for Cologne Cathedral in 1248).

The church dates back to the 16th century and is an example of a fortified church built to protect the population during wars and conflicts. The building has an impressive facade flanked by towers and is an important historical heritage in the region.

The Église Notre-Dame de Plomion is a historic church located in Plomion, in the Aisne department, France. The church was built between the 12th and 16th centuries and is an example of a fortified church. The building consists of a large quadrangular tower between two towers, with a truncated tower at each end of the transept. The church has an impressive interior with a choir and transept covered with ribbed vaults. There are several paintings and sculptures on display, including a depiction of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane in the left transept.

Without doubt one of the most beautiful of the 65 fortified churches in Thiérache. Remarkably restored. A must-see!

The fortified church of Plomion is one of the most remarkable in Thiérache. Completely renovated and freely accessible upstairs, since June 25, 2022, it was built in bricks and stands on the foundations of an old church, where a permanent garrison was stationed. This church is the "finished" type of fortress church which includes all the elements of fortification: tower, keep, turrets, watchtowers and a set of more than 60 loopholes including 42 on the keep! Numerous geometric patterns in vitrified bricks such as hearts and diamonds adorn the building.