Ancient Origins and Roman Era (118 BCE–5th Century CE)

Founding as Narbo Martius:

Established in 118 BCE as the first Roman colony in Gaul, Narbonne (Narbo Martius) served as the capital of Gallia Narbonensis. It was a strategic hub on the Via Domitia, connecting Italy to Spain, and the Via Aquitania, linking to the Atlantic.

Prosperity Under Rome:

The city thrived as a major port and trade center, exporting wine, salt, and ceramics. Julius Caesar resettled it with veterans of the 10th Legion after the civil wars, renaming it Colonia Julia Paterna Decumanorum6. At its peak, it housed 30,000–100,000 inhabitants and boasted forums, temples, and an amphitheater.

Christianization:

By the 4th century, Narbonne had an early Christian community, with a basilica and necropolis at Le Clos de la Lombarde.

Medieval Turbulence (5th–15th Centuries)

Visigothic Capital:

After the fall of Rome, Narbonne became the capital of Septimania under the Visigoths (462 CE). It resisted Frankish conquest until 759, when Pepin the Short captured it from the Umayyads after a 40-year Muslim occupation (719–759).

Religious and Cultural Hub:

As the seat of a powerful archbishopric, Narbonne saw the construction of the Cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur (begun 1272), though its nave was never completed due to encroaching city walls38. The city also hosted a vibrant Jewish community, contributing to Talmudic scholarship.

Narbonne’s Cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur (begun in 1272) is famously unfinished—its nave was never built because completing it would have required demolishing the city’s medieval walls. Locals joke that it’s the world’s only cathedral with a "built-in excuse" for tardiness, dubbing it "Saint-Just-Wait". The 41-meter-high choir stands alone, giving the illusion of a giant stone rocket ship about to launch. Tour guides claim the ghosts of impatient bishops still haunt the site, muttering about "construction delays"

The Roman Road in the Supermarket: A section of the Via Domitia, the 2,100-year-old Roman road, is visible inside Narbonne’s town square. Locals call it "Caesar’s crosswalk" and joke that it’s the only place where you can literally "walk in the footsteps of history"—while carrying groceries.

The Canal That Flows Through a Living Room: The Pont des Marchands bridge is lined with houses and shops, including one where the living room floor has a glass panel revealing the Canal de la Robine flowing beneath it. The homeowner reportedly tells guests, "Mind the fish—they’re better housekeepers than I am"

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