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The underground passages and medieval city of Laon
The citadel's underground passages
1 day
Fill up on discoveries
Transport
We organize your transport by coach, train or plane
Circuit découverte
Afin de vous permettre de découvrir, une région ou un village, nous vous proposons des circuits organisés
Price upon request
Groups
All-inclusive prices for small and large groups
With guide
You won't miss a single detail - they know their subject inside out.
French
English
Other languages on request
English
Other languages on request
Fascinating immersion in underground mysteries and historical heritage
Perched on its famous hill, Laon, nicknamed the “crowned mountain”, offers a unique experience combining underground discovery and medieval heritage. This day trip offers complete immersion in a town steeped in history, where every stone tells the story of a rich and fascinating past.
Perfect for groups, this tour combines an immersive visit, a historical walk and cultural discovery.
Laon’s underground passageways: a journey through 40 million years of history
Beneath the upper town of Laon lies a vast network of underground galleries, dug into the limestone and used since the Middle Ages.
The “Secrets Under the City” tour takes visitors back in time to 40 million years ago, when the region was covered by the sea.
These underground passages reveal :
- Rock-encrusted marine fossils
- Ancient quarries used to build the city
- Medieval galleries and military structures
The route, several hundred metres long, plunges visitors into a mysterious and captivating universe.
Immersive, sensory scenography
The underground tour is designed as an immersive experience, combining sound, light and projections.
Thanks to an audioguide, visitors can discover :
- Geological evolution of the site
- The history of the town through the centuries
- Successive uses for the galleries
This scenography lets you relive almost 2,000 years of history, from natural origins to the present day.
An underground network at the heart of medieval history
Laon’s underground passageways also date back to medieval times, when the town was an important economic and strategic center.
They were used for :
- Storage cellars
- Shelters in times of war
- Discreet passages between different points in the city
These galleries bear witness to the ingenuity of Laon’s inhabitants and its strategic importance in the Middle Ages.
The medieval city of Laon: a perched jewel
After the underground tour, the discovery continues above ground with the remarkably well-preserved medieval city of Laon.
Situated at an altitude of over 180 meters, it is surrounded by 7 kilometers of ramparts, offering an exceptional panorama of the surrounding plain.
The city’s appeal lies in :
- Its cobbled streets
- Old houses
- Its authentic atmosphere
Notre-Dame de Laon Cathedral: a Gothic masterpiece
Dominating the city, Notre-Dame de Laon cathedral is one of France’s first great Gothic buildings.
It is distinguished by :
- Its majestic towers
- His iconic sculptures, including the famous oxen
- Architectural harmony
It bears witness to Laon’s major role as a religious and intellectual center in the Middle Ages.
A strategic and historic city
Laon has long held a strategic position thanks to its dominant location.
Over the centuries, it has been :
- A military stronghold
- An important religious center
- A recognized intellectual hub since the Middle Ages
The construction of the citadel in the 16th century further strengthened its defensive role.
An experience between mystery and heritage
Combining the underground passages with the medieval city reveals two complementary aspects of Laon:
- A mysterious underground world
- A historic city on the surface
This course offers :
- An immersion ingeological and human history
- Discover our medieval heritage
- An original, immersive experience
An ideal excursion for groups
This outing is perfectly suited to groups, with a structured and accessible program.
It proposes :
- An immersive underground tour
- A guided tour of the medieval city
- An enriching cultural experience
The diversity of our themes will appeal to all audiences.
Why choose Laon for a cultural getaway?
Choosing Laon means living a unique experience between earth and subsoil.
This getaway allows :
- Discover an exceptional underground network
- Explore an unspoilt medieval city
- Understand history over millions of years
- Share an immersive group experience
Between mystery, history and heritage, Laon offers a fascinating and unforgettable day out.
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Questions fréquentes (FAQ)
Why visit Laon's underground passages?
Laon's underground passageways offer a unique opportunity to discover the city's geological and human history. Thanks to a modern scenography, visitors can go back 40 million years and understand the evolution of the site, from its marine origins to its medieval development.
What can you find in Laon's underground passageways?
The tour explores rock galleries containing marine fossils, ancient quarries and medieval structures. Over the centuries, these tunnels have been used for storage, refuge and strategic planning.
Why is Laon called the "crowned mountain"?
Laon is nicknamed the "crowned mountain" because of its position perched on a hill overlooking the plain. This location has enabled it to become a strategic stronghold and to preserve an exceptional medieval heritage, notably its ramparts and cathedral.
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