The Aisne departement in Picardy, situated in the far north-east corner of France, is not one of the most visited regions of France, with most people only passing through, as they leave the ferry ports on their way to more famous destinations further south. However, by driving straight through this quiet and unspoiled rural area, visitors are missing out on some historical gems, as well as a region that has lots of outdoor activities on offer.
The main city in Aisne is the medieval town of Laon, most famous for its Gothic cathedral. The town itself is full of other medieval buildings too, many of which have been incorporated into a more modern town centre, although the lay-out is still the same as it has been for centuries, comprising many narrow, winding streets and small, open squares. The cathedral itself dates all the way back to the 12th century and is particularly famous for its exterior architecture, which features some intricate sculpture. The town's museum tells visitors more about this famous church, and contains some of the relics that have been found in excavations around the town and in other religious buildings in Laon and the surrounding area. There is even a Templar chapel in the gardens of the museum; religious architecture is never far away in this pleasant and quiet town.
For visitors who are interested in religious history, a visit to the nearby town of Thierache is a must. The fortified church and abbey here has a fascinating history and has survived attacks and fires to survive to this day. The building also has its own museum displaying many of the treasures that have been kept here over the centuries, as well as telling the church's remarkable story.
A large part of Aisne is covered by the Saint Gobain forest, an ancient woodland that is now being protected from development by local environmentalists. The scenery is pleasant and there are several walking and biking trails through the trees, as well as picnic areas and lots of peace and quiet! The Isle Marsh nature reserve is part of the forest, and is of particular importance and interest to ornithologists as it is home to many species of water birds, some of them quite rare. Information about the area and details of walking trails can be found in the local tourist information offices as there is no visitor's centre in the forest or nature reserves themselves.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Aisne? Then below is a selection of gites in Aisne and villas in Aisne that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
