Car hire Laon

Perched on a hill 100m above the flat Picardie district of northern France, the historic city of Laon has been settled since at least the reign of Julius Caesar. Laon is just 150kms northeast of Paris, 119kms southeast of Amiens, and 45kms northwest of Reims by car rental at Laon.

Cheap car hire at Laon is most likely to be found in its closest large cities, Saint Quentin and Reims. Other than car hire at Laon, the only other transportation option in the city is its Poma 2000 cable car system connecting its upper and lower towns. This is the world's only fully automated cable car system in a city.

Another major attraction in Laon is its magnificent Notre-Dame of Laon cathedral. This cathedral built between the years 1160 and 1235 is considered one of France's finest, as well as a model for other cathedrals constructed in the country. The huge rose window and numerous statues and carvings, mainly of animals, are especially worth closer glances. Notre-Dame of Laon also includes a cloister, a chapter house, and a large Gothic hall.

Laon's current hospital was once an abbey belonging to the Church of St Martin during the 13th century and the city's courthouse was once a medieval episcopal palace. Yet another historic church dating from the 11th and 12th centuries is situated close to the railway station in nearby Vaux.

Paintings by the Le Nain brothers and displays of jewelry from Roman and medieval times are just some of the fascinating exhibits displayed at the Laon Museum, whose garden includes a Templar chapel from the 12th century in an octagon shape. Other historic Laon structures include its 13th century gates, the monument dedicated to explorer Jacques Marquette, and the town's Old Quarter filled with cafés and bars.