Pointe Saint-Martin

You are standing at the foot of one of the most important sites in the history of Laon's military occupation: highly strategic - it covered the entire western part, from the valleys of Anizy to Crépy and the plains to the north - it is said that a castle called "Gaillot" briefly occupied this area in the early 10th century.

But it was not until the 13th century that a wall was built around the entire Champ Saint-Martin area.
Shortly before the French Revolution, this role as a stronghold was reinforced with the construction of the barracks of the Queen's Dragons, more or less on the site of the current Lycée Paul-Claudel.
The barracks were destroyed during the First World War by... French soldiers (remember that Laon was under German rule at the time, making it a target to be reconquered).

It's also worth noting that over the centuries, this vast area was home to a number of mills in a sector that was particularly well exposed to the westerly winds.

Today, the lycée provides access to this eminence for local events (such as the Fête de la Nature and the Journées du Patrimoine).