Laon, France

Not to be confused with Lyon or Leon - Laon, France was founded by the Romans in the first century. The oldest building standing in the town are from the 11th century, including an old abbey and the Cathedral Notre Dame of Laon that sits atop a fortressed wall.

Among Laon's most famous residents were St Remigius (437), Bertrada of Laon (726) and my dad (196?).

An hour and a half by train, and closer to Belgium than Paris, I spent the day in Laon yesterday, trying to imagine what it looked like back in the early 60s when my dad lived there. I hiked the steps from the train station to the Cathedral (the steps my dad told me he used to race up wit his friends - wow - du courage, dad) and meandered the streets of this historic town that seems to be coming back to life.




The top photo is me standing at the top of a long set of stairs that lead to the cathedral. The second photo is of the wall that guarded the medieval town of Laon.

Hey Mom and Dad - you can click on the photos to make them bigger. Love you! See you soon.