Narbonne, Administrative commune in Occitanie, France
Narbonne is a commune in the Aude department of the Occitanie region, located about 15 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. The Canal de la Robine flows through the center and divides the town into two parts, with the old town and its narrow streets on the northern bank.
The town was founded by the Romans in 118 BCE as Narbo Martius and became the capital of the province of Gallia Transalpina. Over centuries it served as an important port and trade hub, until the silting of the harbor in the 14th century ended its role as a seaport.
The former palace surrounds a courtyard with towers and galleries that now serve as public passages, leading visitors to the town hall and museum spaces. The Via Domitia, once the main road of the Roman empire, runs beneath the old town and can be seen through glass panels at several points.
The main railway station sits southwest of the center and offers regular connections to Paris, Toulouse, and Barcelona. The center can be explored on foot, as most sights lie close together and the streets are well marked.
The Cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur has no nave, as construction was halted in the 14th century and only the choir was completed. The bell tower was originally built as a defense tower and later integrated into the church complex.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
