Laon Cathedral
The grand Gothic west front. Photo by Mike.
Detail of tracery of a transept window. Photo by Andrea Kirkby.
Laon Cathedral has a delightfully complicated and unfinished exterior.
Photo by James Mitchell.
Interior of Laon Cathedral from the organ loft. Photo by Michael Leuty
Interior view from nave to the west window. Photo by James Mitchell
Traces of ancient paint on small sculptures. Photo by Jan-Willem Swane.
The Cathedral of Laon (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon), in the Picardy region of France, dates from the 12th century. Laon Cathedral is known for its imposing towers, its beautiful Gothic architecture, and its importance as a major stop on the medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago in Spain.
History
Construction on Laon Cathedral began around 1160, on the site of an ancient basilica that had burned down in 1111 during an insurrection. The new cathedral was completed in 1230.
The second half of the 13th century saw the start of work on the side chapels. Considerable reconstruction was done in the early 14th century on the south and north façades.
In the 18th century, the chancel received decorative work. During the French Revolution, the cathedral was damaged and some of the statues on the portals were lost.
After being listed as a Historical Monument in 1840, a restoration program began in 1846. It was finished a little before 1914. The cathedral of Laon escaped World War I unharmed.
What to See
The cathedral of Laon has six towers, four of which are complete. The towers and uniquely ornate, light and airy. Statues of oxen decorate the top of the façade towers, a tribute to the animals that provided so much labor towards the construction of the church.
There are many other things to look on the complex exterior, including a finely carved portal and a rhinoceros gargoyle!
The understated purity of the cathedral's interior, reinforced by white stone, gives it a remarkable luminosity.
Notable interior features include the stained glass (the western rose window dates to 1210), panels dating from the 13th century, a Serbian icon of the Holy Face, and an 18th-century choir grille.
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of Laon Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our France Map or get our Google Earth download.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Laon Cathedral; Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon |
| Type of site: | Cathedral |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Date: | 1160-1230 |
| Address: | 8 rue du Cloître |
| Location: | Off Place Aubrey |
| Phone: | 03-23-20-26-54 |
| Rail: | Trains run from Paris's Gare du Nord to Laon at least 15 times a day (trip time: 1.5-2 hr.) |
| Car: | From Reims, go 45km (28 miles) north on A26. Once in Laon, follow signs to Centre ville / cathédrale / Office de Tourisme |
| Hours: | Daily 9am-6:30pm |
| Tours: | Free tours Easter to October on Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. Can be arranged through the tourist office. |
More Information
- Notre Dame de Laon Cathedral – Regional Council of Picardy
- Laon Cathedral – Beloit History of Art and Architecture
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon – Frommer's Attraction Review
