Laon is a city and commune of France, préfecture (capital) of the Aisne département. Population: 26,265.

History

In Roman times it was known as Alaudanum or Lugdunum Clavatum.

Sights

The city contains many medieval buildings. One of the better known is the cathedral Notre-Dame of Laon.

Miscellaneous

Laon was the birthplace of:

• Bertrada of Laon (720-783), mother of Charlemagne
• Anselm of Laon (d. 1117), theologian
• Jacques Marquette, (1636-1675), Jesuit missionary

The town has the only fully automated municipal cable car system in the world, called the Poma 2000. It links the upper town with the lower town, has three stations and runs on rubber tyres. In contrast, the San Francisco cable car system is manually operated, and all the other automated cable car systems have restricted operations within airports and hospitals.

External link

• City council website