Let's stroll through Laon, from Soibert to Royer!

The Porte de Soissons 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...

Second in dignity in the Prémontrés order, the abbey church was built in the 12th century. The façade depicts Saint-Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar. Saint-Martin Abbey was a flourishing and powerful abbey until the French Revolution. Note that access to the interior of the church is limited (it is only open in the afternoons in summer: take the opportunity to admire its two recumbent figures at the entrance and its famous "hidden" nativity scene), but you can visit the cloister and the former conventual buildings adjoining it to the north (the latter house the Suzanne-Martinet municipal media library - check out its breathtaking staircase!).

This 13th-century pedestrian gateway gave access to the Chenizelles district, the Louis IV d'Outremer tower and the Saint-Vincent tank. Its name probably comes from the many canals - or “chenils” in french - that drained the water nearby. If you look up, you can still see the site of its portcullis...

One of the most famous footpaths linking the upper and lower towns of Laon: here in Laon, this type of path is known as a "grimpette", and this one takes you directly up to the Saint-Vincent tank, a favourite spot for walks in the town. Mind you, it's easy to walk down it - it's all tarmac - but you'll need a bit more stamina to climb back up, as the slope is steep!

This well-preserved gateway is one of the main entrances to the south of the medieval town, opening onto the Ardon suburb. Also known as the Porte Royer, it gave access to the former royal palace area inside the town. The current gate was built in the 13th century. Here's a tip: take a look at the plaque beneath the gate, which reads "You are at the gateway to all your walks"... Below, you'll find a charming wash-house and drinking trough. There used to be a fountain at each entrance to the town.