One Fabulous Day in Narbonne, Southern France, Narbonne, France

I was house-sitting for two gorgeous cats in Beziers in the south of France and fancied a day out, but nowhere too far away. So, I decided on Narbonne. I had been there before, but it is a lovely city and well worth a second visit.

The city makes for a great day trip from Béziers. It is only 15 minutes away by train, making Narbonne an excellent place to explore without needing a car.

With plenty of trains available throughout the day, there is plenty of time to enjoy Narbonne’s historic charm, Roman heritage, and atmosphere.

Narbonne was founded in 118 BCE as the Roman colony of Narbo Martius, making it the first Roman settlement in Gaul.

It became an important hub due to its location on the Via Domitia, the first Roman road linking Italy to Spain.

During the medieval period, Narbonne thrived as a major port and ecclesiastical centre, home to a prominent archbishopric.

Over time, the silting of the Aude River diminished the city’s status as a port. However, its rich history is still evident in landmarks like the Narbonne Cathedral, the Horreum (a Roman underground warehouse), and the Archbishop’s Palace.

The train station is just a 10-minute walk from the city centre and clearly signposted into town. Stroll through the charming streets as you head toward your first stop. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).