The best cycling routes around Assis-Sur-Serre

The Abbey of Prémontré, nestled west of Laon in the heart of a wooded and hilly environment, was founded in 1120 by Norbert of Xanten. Former mother abbey of the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, this historic site retains a peaceful atmosphere, away from the main roads.

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.

This austere church, contemporary with the cathedral, is a fine example of 12th-century monastic architecture. With its two historiated side tympana, the façade is later, dating from around 1270. Inside, the 17th- and 18th-century woodwork and some elements of medieval funerary sculpture are noteworthy.

A great offer and, above all, great sandwiches that help you survive a food desert. The croissants are great, as is the pain aux raisins!

A beautiful picnic bench on the Canal de la Sambre à l’Oise

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 In the 12th century, Vorges was mentioned in several historical documents and had a thriving wine-growing sector with 512 vineyards owned by various abbeys.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.

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.