Mons-En-Laonnois: Church, Hiking Trails and Nature

If you’re looking for a hotel in Mons-en-Laonnois, your travel interests may influence your choice of destination. Architectural history, named hiking trails, the Mare de la Canotte and the history of winegrowing offer different points of interest. This makes Mons-en-Laonnois a destination that brings together culture, landscape and nature before you plan your trip.

Saint Pierre et Paul Church and older architectural remains

Saint Pierre et Paul Church was built at the same time as Laon Cathedral, in two successive construction phases. Its layout can be seen in several specific architectural features: the two-bay nave has two aisles; there is also a wide transept and a pronounced choir. The apse is flanked by two apsidioles, which open at an angle onto the choir. A bay is a section of the nave. The two bays and the aisles divide the longitudinal space, while the wide transept extends the building across its width. The choir and apse are other clearly identifiable parts of this architecture.

Today, only the bases of the chancel buttresses remain from the former Saint Pierre aux Creuttes Church; the Fontaine Saint Pierre is located between them. Here, the focus is not on the layout of a church interior, but on the surviving architectural remains and the fountain between them. The two church sites thus illustrate different forms of architectural heritage.

Hiking trails and views

There are two distinct named routes to consider for hiking. The GR12A long-distance trail passes through the wooded hills of Chété and Les Creuttes. Part of the Panorama des Creuttes circular hiking trail follows the Chemin des Creuttes and offers views of old troglodytic dwellings in rocks and rock outcrops. Troglodytic dwellings are homes carved into rock; their location also makes the landscape a place with traces of historic human use. The wooded hills along the GR12A and the rock dwellings as a focus for views along the circular trail are therefore distinct highlights. Before setting out on the GR12A, confirm seasonal conditions and local access.

Nature at the Mare de la Canotte

The Mare de la Canotte was restored in 2005 and has a wide variety of aquatic, marsh and terrestrial plants. Around 15 plant species have been recorded at the Mare. Green and brown frogs have also been observed there. The inventory of aquatic fauna is incomplete, so these observations do not constitute a complete survey. Plants from different habitat groups and the observed frogs represent different aspects of this natural area.

Winegrowing as a historical trace

The history of winegrowing is also part of the local story: it has been documented in Mons-en-Laonnois since 985 and was once the main occupation of the Montois. This historical aspect complements the themes of architectural history and landscape with an account of an earlier main occupation of the residents. For travelers interested in local history, winegrowing offers a different perspective on Mons-en-Laonnois from its churches or hiking trails.

Planning your visit

Saint Pierre et Paul Church can be visited by prior arrangement with the town hall. If you’re planning a visit, it’s best to check with the town hall in advance; visiting arrangements may change. ARSAM organizes tours of Fort de SERE de RIVIERE for schools, during the Journées du Patrimoine and for visitor groups. If you’re interested in visiting the fort, confirm the arrangements before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Suzy, Etreaupont, Saint-Pierre-De-Franqueville, Chierry, Martigny, Oisy, Crécy-Sur-Serre, Merval.

For the broader travel overview: Aisne.