The best cycling routes around Molinchart

The Vauclair Abbey near Bouconville-Vauclair in the Aisne department was founded in 1134 by Bernard of Clairvaux as a Cistercian monastery. In the Middle Ages, it developed into an important monastic complex; it was significantly expanded, particularly in the 13th century. During the First World War, Vauclair was located directly in the combat zone of the Chemin des Dames and was almost completely destroyed by artillery fire in 1917. The ruins visible today have been archaeologically investigated, excavated, and partially secured since the 1960s. Directly next to the ruins, there is now a medicinal herb garden with around 400 species and a conservation orchard. This verger conservatoire preserves old regional apple and pear varieties; according to the French Garden Association, there are about 84 different varieties represented there. Together with the monastery ruins, the site thus commemorates not only the history of the Cistercians but also their close connection to agriculture, horticulture, and botany.

Hidden in the middle of the forest, this Cistercian abbey, founded in 1134 by Bernard of Clairvaux, appears like a mirage. Its majestic ruins bear witness to a turbulent past. From the Hundred Years' War and the French Revolution to the First World War, the abbey suffered considerable destruction. In the 1960s, the site was overgrown with brambles and forgotten. Thanks to the archaeological excavation group "Sources" led by Father Courtois, it experienced a rebirth.

Due to the geological conditions of the hill of Laon, this tower was literally built on sand, which however only became apparent in the years after construction. The sand gave way and the tower began to lean.

The Carolingian origins of the abbey are obscure. Julia Fritsch, heritage curator, interim head of the nationally competent department of the museum of the Middle Ages, thermal baths and hotel of Cluny, in Paris, writes that on the site of a former Carolingian collegiate church, the bishop of Laon, Barthélemy de Jur, installed Norbert of Xanten in 1119 to bring the canons back to respect the canonical rules. Faced with the failure of this operation, Norbert of Xanten, with a few companions, founded the order of the Premonstratensians in 1121. The bishop expelled the canons and replaced them with twelve regular canons from the abbey of Prémontré in 1124[3]. This abbey is one of the primarii inter pares of the Premonstratensian order, along with Cuizy and Florette. The abbey is said to have had five hundred brothers in 1136, which necessitated increasing the dimensions of the church to accommodate them during the office they were to hold together at least once a day[4]. The construction of the church by the Premonstratensians began with the two-level nave and the side aisles, built between 1135 and 1150, covered by an exposed timber frame, and ending in a low transept. It continued with the vaulted choir, built between 1150 and 1160. Altar niches were then added in the second bay of the choir. The vaults of the nave and side aisles were built between 1190 and 1200. The construction of the nave vaults required adding a column flanked by two ringed colonnettes to each pier to support the transverse arch and the ribs. The additional thrust from the vaults required larger flying buttresses. At the transept level, the thrust from the vaults led to an increase in height. The facade of the south arm of the transept was raised. Construction continued with the towers at the level of the last bay of the side aisles, at the junction with the transept, until the end of the 13th century; the spires that topped them were removed in 1737. The western facade is later. It is sometimes attributed to the 14th century. Its construction did not begin until around 1270. One element confirms this dating: the arrival at the abbey of an important relic of Saint Lawrence, around 1230. His martyrdom is depicted on the tympanum of the north portal of the facade[5]. In 1340, Abbot Jean de Bruyères was ordered to fortify his monastery to protect it against potential attackers. In 1728, Joseph Étienne de La Fare obtained on August 23, 1728, a royal patent authorizing him, after the agreement of the abbot of Prémontré and the religious of Saint-Martin, to proceed with the Pope for the reunion of the abbey of Saint-Martin with the bishopric of Laon. The agreement of the Roman Curia was quickly obtained, but the death of Benedict XIII necessitated waiting for the election of the new pope. Clement XII, once elected, issued his bulls in accordance with what had been decided by his predecessor on July 16, 1730. The Pope extinguished the title of regular abbot of Saint-Martin and incorporated the abbey into the bishopric of Laon with the abbatial mensal benefice, but with the obligation to increase the annates of the bishopric of Laon by 1,500 gold florins and that 6,000 livres would be paid annually and in perpetuity by the bishop of Laon and his successors to the college of the order of Prémontré in Paris. The bulls were then published in Laon by the official of Reims on March 17, 1731. The bishop of Laon took possession of the abbey the next day. The king approved the extinction of the abbey of Saint-Martin by letters patent and its incorporation into the episcopal mensal benefice in May 1731. They were registered by the Parliament of Paris on September 6, 1731[6].

This austere church, contemporary with the cathedral, is a fine example of 12th-century monastic architecture. With its two historiated side tympana, the façade is later, dating from around 1270. Inside, the 17th- and 18th-century woodwork and some elements of medieval funerary sculpture are noteworthy.

Ailette Lake is a haven of tranquility surrounded by greenery. Its calm and clear waters invite you to relax, whether for a stroll along the lake, a canoe trip or a picnic break. The preserved natural setting offers magnificent views of the surrounding wooded hills and the developed beaches.

picnic area and viewpoint of the cathedral. The cathedral stands out beautifully above the panorama.

The Tour Penchée in Laon, also known as the “Leaning Tower,” is a historic tower located in the city of Laon in the Hauts-de-France region. The tower is part of the city’s old fortifications and is located near the Porte de Soissons. What makes this tower special is its distinctive leaning structure, reminiscent of the famous Tower of Pisa. Visitors can climb the tower for a panoramic view of the city, including the beautiful Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon.