8 Things to See & Do in Aisne, France

When I moved to Paris in 2025, I immediately set a goal to explore as much of France as possible – both the well known places and the not so well known places.  In June, I decided to make a trip to the Aisne “state” of France located in the Hauts-de-France region to see what it was all about.  Not only did I fall in love with the quiet countryside and the medieval villages, but I also learned so much about the history of France and thoroughly enjoyed my time in this lesser known area in Northern France.  If you plan to visit Aisne, here are the best things to see and do!

 

If you’re planning to visit the Aisne state, don’t miss…

• How to Spend 2 Days in Aisne, France:  Castles, Champagne, & History

 

1.  Learn About Jean de La Fontaine in Château-Thierry

Jean de La Fontaine is a famous “fabulist” in France that the entire country learns about in school… and someone that I would argue most of the world knows about.  He’s famous for writing fables in the 17th-century and he was born in Château-Thierry.  If you do want to learn about the life of Jean de La Fontaine who is famous for shaping poetry and writing in France, I would highly suggest hiring Clementine (you can reach out to her on Instagram @clementinevousguide).  She speaks great English and is incredibly engaging and informative.

 

2.  Have a Picnic at the Gardens of Viels-Maisons

The Gardens of Viels-Maisons is a hidden, magical, zen, garden located in the very south part of the Aisne state.  The garden was created and is owned by a French family who lives near the property.  The garden is three hectares (it’s huge) and there are so many great spots to sit down, relax, and have a picnic.  If you do want to have a picnic, you will need to bring your own stuff as they don’t sell food or drink on property or provide blankets (there are tables to sit at).  Just make sure you clean up after yourself!

The garden is only open to visit from the first weekend of June through the third weekend of September from 1400-1800; and is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  The cost to visit is €6 and free for teens and children under 16 years old.  If you have any questions about visiting,  you can contact +33 6 31 66 86 79.

 

3.  Go Champagne Tasting in the Aisne Countryside

One of the coolest things that I learned about the Aisne state is that it does grow champagne even though it is not part of the administrative region of “Champagne”.  If you know anything about France, it’s that they are very traditional and that they take their grape growing very seriously.  So you might know that champagne can ONLY be made in the administrative region of Champagne, France.  However, Château-Thierry (where champagne is made) – although it is not part of the administrative region of Champagne, in the prehistoric era it was an inland sea.  This created 40 different levels of subsoil where the vines can grow down and get nutrients.  As my tour guide told me, “grapes don’t care about the administrative region and they can grow here”.

Now, with all of that said – Château-Thierry is a great place to champagne taste and learn about champagne because it’s much less touristy than the official administrative region of Champagne.  I would highly recommend tasting at Champagne PANNIER which is a traditional champagne house where you can book cellar tours and a tasting.  I would also recommend Champagne Météyer Père et Fils, a family owned champagne house.  If you reach out ahead of time, you can book a picnic in the vineyards which is a really fun experience!

 

4.  Check into La Porte d’Arcy

La Porte d’Arcy is a family run bed and breakfast and it feels like a true hidden gem in the heart of the French countryside.  Not only is the property beautiful with a swimming pool, bee farm, and lush gardens; but you will also receive an incredible home-cooked meal for dinner and breakfast.  If you’re visiting Aisne, I would highly recommend staying here.

 

BOOK YOUR STAY AT LA PORTE D’ARCY HERE!

 

5.  Visit the Medieval City of Laon

If I had a favorite place in Aisne, Laon would be it.  The medieval city is perched high on a hill with a history that stretches back over 2,000 years.  It was once the capital (during the Carolingian Empire) and played a major role in medieval France becoming an important religious and political center.  Its crown jewel is the Laon Cathedral, one of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture in France, known for its striking towers and life-sized oxen sculptures.  The city’s old town is a maze of cobbled streets, ancient buildings, and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, which offers a peaceful alternative to France’s more tourist-heavy destinations.

 

6.  Learn About “The Familistère Guise” – A Utopian Cooperative Community in Guise

Another experience that I was completely impressed by in the Aisne state was “The Familistère Guise” built by Jean-Baptiste André Godin built in the 19th-century.  The Familistère was a unique idea at the time where people (mostly poor) lived together and worked together in Godin’s factory.  The workers paid low rent, their children were able to go to school to become educated, they worked six days/week (instead of seven which was normal at the time), and overall they were treated well.  While Godin is not credited with creating socialism, he is credited with creating one of history’s most successful socialist utopian communities.

You can purchase tickets and tour the Familistère every day from 10 am-7 pm.  They offer guided tours but you’re also able to enter and tour on your own.

 

7.  See Art Deco in Saint-Quentin

Art Deco – which was created in France in the early 1900s – played an important role in rebuilding cities in France after WWI.  Because it’s inventive and colorful, it showcased the strength of the residents and their resiliency in being able to bounce back after war devastated people, homes, and entire cities.  Plus, Art Deco represented faith in social and technological progress, something that was important at the time.  Saint-Quentin is a great place to view Art Deco, it’s evident in their buildings and most famous monuments.

 

8.  Tour the Soissons Cathedral

The Soissons Cathedral in Soissons is one of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture in France and holds deep historical and religious significance.  Construction began in the late 12th century, around the same time as the cathedrals of Chartres and Laon, marking Soissons as an important player in the shift from Romanesque to Gothic design.  Although the cathedral was never fully completed as originally planned, its soaring nave, detailed sculptures, and impressive stained glass windows reflect the architectural ambition of the era.  The cathedral has witnessed centuries of French history – from the coronation of kings to the devastation of both World Wars, particularly World War I, when Soissons was heavily bombed.  Despite enduring significant damage, the cathedral has been carefully restored, standing today as a symbol of resilience and faith.

 

When to Visit Aisne

The best time to visit the Aisne department in Northern France is during the late spring (May to June) and early fall (September to October), when the countryside is at its most beautiful and the weather is mild; ideal for exploring historic towns, WWI battlefields, and champagne vineyards.  These shoulder seasons also mean fewer tourists, so you can enjoy places like Laon, Soissons, and Château-Thierry at a more relaxed pace.  Summer (July to August) is warmer and livelier, with local festivals and open-air events, but also more crowded.  Winter (November to February) is quieter and colder, with some attractions offering limited hours, though it’s a peaceful time to enjoy the rural charm and cozy countryside stays.

I visited Aisne in June and experienced great weather and few crowds.

 

How to Get to Aisne

You can get to the Aisne state easily by train from Paris.  You need to decide what train station you want to arrive to (I suggest Château-Thierry, Laon, or Saint-Quentin); the tickets are affordable and it should only take between 1-1.5 hours depending on where you arrive.

Another option is to rent a car and drive from Paris.  If you do want to explore the entire state of Aisne, you will definitely need a car to get around.  So you can either rent a car and drive from Paris, or you can take the train and pick up your rental car in the town you arrive in.

 

Don’t miss…

• A Guide to Renting a Car in France

 

French Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting France

 

I hope that this post inspired you to visit the Aisne state.  After all, there’s so much history here and so many great things to see, do, learn, and experience.  If you have any questions about visiting Aisne or France in general, please let me know in a comment below!

 

If you’re planning a trip to France, don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to France
• The Best France Packing List

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Aisne, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinfrance” or under my highlights for “Hauts-de-France”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “France” highlight

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