The heart of Narbonne, once a key port for the Roman Empire, is the dramatic Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Also be sure to stroll through the village’s old town, where you can’t miss the main attraction: Cathedrale Saint-Just.
The most dominant building in this neighborhood, the 13th century church connects to the Palais des Archevêques, which has an ornately carved 130-meter keep.
The Horreum, the only significant ancient Roman relic in the city, is an intricate underground series of hallways and tunnels which is believed to have been used for grain storage. Open year-round, it closes Mondays from October through May. Also of interest is the Musee de Telephone, with exhibits on the history of communications, including telegraphs and, of course, the telephone.
Be sure to visit Narbonne Plage (beach), which you can reach from the train station and several points in central Narbonne through the “TUN” bus line. The beach area features boutiques and outdoor cafés.
Where to Stay in Narbonne
- Narbonne Ibis Sud is a basic hotel, close to public transportation and convenient to many sites. It’s a bit devoid of personality, but it does feature a few handy extras like an airport shuttle, a restaurant and a bar.
- Hôtel Hexagone provides cheap digs, and rooms with a nautical theme. The only room with air-conditioning, however, is the restaurant.
- You can’t beat the location of Hôtel l'Oasis right on the Mediterranean. Be sure to request a room with a balcony overlooking the sea, or at least eat dinner on the restaurant’s outdoor terrace.
- If you brought a tent, set up camp at Cotes des Roses near Narbonne Plage. It is on a beautiful site along the sea and near the Clape Massif. It features hot showers, a bar, a restaurant and several recreational activities.
