Museum of Archaeology in Narbonne

The Museum of Archaeology is housed in the Archbishop's Palace and spreads across multiple floors with distinct sections for different collections. Visitors encounter Roman artifacts, medieval artwork, and regional objects ranging from ancient times to the early modern period.

The collection documents the importance of Narbo Martius, the first Roman colony in Gaul, established in 118 BCE. This early Roman presence shaped the city for centuries and left behind significant archaeological traces visible in the exhibits today.

The collections display ceramics from the 17th and 18th centuries alongside European paintings from multiple periods. These works reflect the artistic tastes and preferences that shaped the region across centuries.

The museum is located in an architectural landmark building in the city center and is easily accessible on foot. It makes sense to plan several hours to explore the different collections at a comfortable pace and appreciate the palace rooms.

On the ground floor sits a rare model of the ancient city at original scale, showing what Narbo Martius looked like during Roman times. This model helps visitors place the scattered artifacts upstairs into a larger urban context.