The 8 things to do in Narbonne

Are you going to discover the Aude and its coastline? Here are seven things to do in the city of Narbonne.

The most populous sub-prefecture and city in the department of Aude (11), Narbonne, in the Occitania region, had 53,462 inhabitants in 2015 and 125,487 Narbonnaiss in the entire urban area. Its area – 172.96 km2 – is equivalent to that of the Hauts-de-Seine department (92). Located in the heart of the Narbonnaise Regional Natural Park in the Mediterranean, it is also the 7th city of the region behind Montauban, Béziers, Perpignan, Nîmes, Montpellier and Toulouse. It is a very touristic city around the French Mediterranean, thanks to its five kilometers of fine sand in Narbonne-Plage.

The surroundings of this ancient city (founded by the Romans in -118) seduce many tourists coming to Narbonne: the Clape massif, the Abbey Sainte-Marie de Fontfroide, the being of Bages-Sigean, a sunny country between scrubland and vineyards. The oldest Roman colony in Gaul, she was nicknamed the “daughter of Rome outside Italy” and her city centre is an out-of-pair witness of her 23 centuries of history.

What to do in Narbonne, between the sea, the Corbières and the Catalan Pyrenees and the Haut-Languedoc? Here is our selection of things to do in Narbonne and its surroundings.

1. Visit downtown Narbonne

The historic centre and the Cité district are the two quarters of the city centre, separated by the Robine Canal, and contain vestiges of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the wine-growing age of the late 19th century.

This medieval city of art and history and its varied heritage is unveiled through the streets of the city centre: Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, the Archaeological Museum, the Musée Lapidaire, the Musée Horreum roman, the Donjon Gilles Aycelin, the Chapel of the Blue Pénitents, the Podrière, the Consul Hall.

And to top it all, there are many bars and restaurants between Place Thérèse-Léon Blum and the streets adjacent to the Cours Mirabeau.

In the historic centre, the image we know most of Narbonne is its Place de l’Hotel de Ville, built in the location of the Via Domitia , a famous Roman paved avenue traced to connect Italy to the Hippoland. The rue Jean-Jaurès, the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, the course of the Republic and the cagnard de Cité are pedestrian areas where you can stroll through the shops, historical monuments and/or small neighbourhood cafes.

A tourist and popular atmosphere exhales pleasantly from the streets of the old town. Not far, a place to visit Narbonne for French song lovers: the home of Charles Trenet.

2. Visit the Cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur

Visiting Narbonne also passes through its religious buildings, including an emblematic Catholic monument of the medieval era: the Cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur. Described as the most prestigious monument of the city – built between 1272 and 1340 – this 13th century cathedral was never completed, although it is oversized for the size of the city.

Gothic style is the 4th highest cathedral in France. Listed on the list of historical monuments since 1840, it is possible to visit it all year round (tariffs: adults 9€, children 6€). The cathedral also houses sculptures and paintings of invaluable value.

3. Visit the Abbey Sainte-Marie de Fontfroide

This Cistercian abbey, located in the Corbières massif and initially Benedictine, was built from the year 1093. The abbey was at the outposts of the fight against the Cathars and played a major role in the Crusade of the Albigeois (1209-1229). We will visit the court of honour, the alley of the convers, the cloister, the abbatial church, the dormitories, the parlour, the office, the dining room, the library, the Romanesque door, the cellar, the foreign chapel and the rose garden. The abbey has been listed on the list of Historical Monuments since 1862.

4. Visit the Narbonne Archaeological Museum

Located in the city of Narbonne, in the Palais des Archevêques, the archaeological museum presents a collection of pieces retracing the history of Narbonne from the Prehistory to the Middle Ages, including Gallo-Roman frescoes.

This museum has 12 rooms, including the collections – very well maintained – give an idea of what the city was when it was the capital of the Narbonnaise Gaul. A beautiful visit if you love ancient history.

5. The Lapidaire Museum of Narbonne

What to do in Narbonne if it does bad weather and can’t go swimming in the sea? The Lapidary Museum, located in the former Notre-Dame de Lamourguier, can be made: there are 2,000 blocks of antique stone carved and carved, recovered in the city from 1868, during the destruction of medieval fortifications.

Frises, bas-reliefs, capitals, fragments of cornices and columns retrace Roman history. Attention, the pieces will be transferred to the Regional Museum of Antique Narbonnaise (MuRéNA) in 2020.

6. The Roman Horréum Museum

This museum would represent underground galleries serving as a warehouse in the 1st century BC: it is one of the only Narbonnais monuments of Antiquity accessible to the public with the archaeological remains of the Clos de la Lombarde. The origin of this place remains unknown despite this network of galleries.

7. Go to Narbonne-Plage

What to do in Narbonne when we squeezed all the corners of his pavers? We will not forget the sea. Go to Narbonne-Plage to enjoy the five kilometers of fine sand beaches and the marina, from which you reach through the Massif de la Clape. This seaside resort offers many sports and playful activities for all ages. Not far, we'll find Gruissan and the ponds.

8. A boat ride

After strolling around the marina, why don't you take a boat ride?

Indeed, rent a boat in Narbonne will allow you to explore the coast as you like. Thus, you will have the opportunity to discover the landscape in another way, seen from the waters. A great experience to live with your loved ones to perfect your stay in Narbonne!

How to get to Narbonne?

To get to Narbonne, the choice is quite thin: car or train. If you want to opt for the plane, know that the small town does not benefit from its own airport. Indeed, travellers who opt for airlines land in nearby metropolises such as Montpellier, Perpignan or Toulouse (although you still have 1 hour of minimum additional journey to reach the city of Narbonne).

Of course, the means of locomotion will depend on where you live. If the aircraft remains the best solution for you, you can find a cheap flight by searching our partner’s website Ulysses .

Where to stay in Narbonne?

If you choose to visit Narbonne, the offer of accommodation promises various experiences! Downtown hotels, campsites and small houses by the beach to the nights in the boats of the canal... It's for all tastes. You can find a cheap hotel in Narbonne by searching for this Compare hotels .