Early contemplation

Laon. What a revelation.

I'll admit (Francophiles, please look away): I'd never even heard of Laon. But after a good night's sleep I was on the road early and ready to stop somewhere when the great medieval city with it's soaring cathedral rose up on the horizon, and I thought: don't pass this by.

By 9am I was standing in the Cathedral nave. The architecture was very Cistercian, and therefore simple and beautiful. There was gentle ethereal music playing from a sound system. The stonework was bathed in early morning light. And no one else was there yet. I had the silence, the prayerfulness, the huge expansive stillness to myself.

I sat in the old choir stalls (for the monastic choir) and prayed and kept silence. I don't know how long I was there but now it's nearly 11am local time, so it must have been a while. I had to tear myself away. 

By far the most contemplative and prayerful space I've encountered since Canterbury. I hope there'll be more along the way.

///amends.inflame.coherent