Narbo Via, Archaeological museum in Narbonne, France
Narbo Via is a museum housed in a building made of colored concrete layers beside the Canal de la Robine in Narbonne. Inside, exhibition galleries flow alongside restoration workshops, with a large shelving wall displaying thousands of ancient stone artifacts between the two spaces.
Narbonne became Rome's first major settlement beyond Italy when established as a colony and developed into a crucial Mediterranean trade port. The collections document how this city evolved from its founding through centuries of commercial and political change.
The collection reveals how Roman Narbonne functioned as a trade hub connecting distant regions and peoples across the Mediterranean. Visitors see everyday objects that show the cosmopolitan character and merchant life that defined this ancient port city.
The museum is open on weekdays and weekends and offers multiple spaces to explore including galleries, a library, and dining areas. Plan to wear comfortable shoes since the interior spaces are generous in size and encourage walking through both public and visible workshop areas.
The building was designed using rammed earth construction, an ancient building technique that was revived here in contemporary form. This architectural choice connects the structure to local construction traditions while creating a bold visual presence that makes it recognizable from a distance.
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