NEW // From the upper town to Delaby pond

The first part of this rather steep climb used to be an annual meeting place for the grape-pickers of Laon. Wine-growing has been practised here since Gallo-Roman times, but was discontinued at the end of the 19th century (and was an immeasurable source of wealth for the town)...

It is said that this path - probably one of the oldest in Laon - was the scene of a resurgence of pagan cults in the first centuries of Christianity at the time of the summer solstice: a flaming wheel (or rouelle) was sent down the slope in honour of the deity of the Celtic pantheon Taranis...

The Conservatoire de Musique et de Danse du Pays de Laon was founded in 1949 on the initiative of Marcel Levindrey, Mayor of Laon, and Roger Thirault, who was its first director. Originally located in the medieval city, since 2005 it has been housed in premises dedicated to music and dance in the former Foch district, in the lower town. The architects Jean-Jacques and Marie-Chantal Plantinet have succeeded in creating a coherent whole from a building dating back to the military settlement in Laon, in keeping with the institution's mission: to teach music and dance, to provide educational broadcasts and to act as a resource centre for amateur musicians. It has 27 classrooms, including 2 for group practice and 3 for musical training, 2 dance studios, a 255-seat auditorium with flexible acoustics, administrative offices and a reception hall where temporary exhibitions are held from time to time. It is home to more than 700 music, dance and acting students...

One of the best-known former military strongholds in Laon, because during the 20th century it was home to many conscripts (artillery, signals) at the time of conscription... The barracks, built in 1913, have since been handed over to the Aisne Departmental Council, which began relocating a number of services there in 2018, within its walls or in the immediate vicinity (including the Archaeology Department and the Aisne Departmental Archives and Library).

This is the Blancs-Monts shooting range in Laon, which was the scene of executions of resistance fighters during the Second World War.This commemorative plaque, erected by the Aisne ANACR, bears the names of Gaston Pinot (killed in 1941), André Dauriol, Maurice Isart and Léon Roussel (killed in 1944)...

The Porte de Soissons (also known as Soibert) closed one of the main entrances to the west of the medieval town. Built around 1200, and despite its deterioration, it remains a fine example of medieval military architecture. Just below it is Laon's "Tower of Pisa", the Tour de Dame Eve, a corner and flanking tower of the medieval rampart. A landslide of its base due to the clay soil gives it its distinctive appearance...

Also known as the Etang de la Gaule Laonnoise, this freshwater fishing lake was opened to the public in the early 1970s.In addition to its fishing role, it has also become a popular place to take a stroll in the lower town of Laon.