FRANCE – Narbonne (En)
Our first stop in France was in Narbonne, a city in southern France, on the Canal de la Robine, known for its tourist coast, Narbonne Beach. We stayed for two days in camping Les Floralys (43.166087, -3.036483 lat, long), which has a little swimming pool but not in use yet, a ping pong table, mini golf, children’s park, and services for black and grey water. The sanitary installations were ok but without toilet paper (you must take your own) and toilet seats. The showers were ok and the price is reasonable at 20 euros daily. We couldn’t enjoy the minigolf or the ping pong table because it was windy!
After two days of camping we went to Narbonne city centre parking without services but very big and you can pass the night. It is perfect to visit the city and pretty safe as it is near to the police station and has a Lidl supermarket next to it (43.178356, -2.993861 lat, long).
We went to explore the town, and the first thing we saw was the L’Appel square and the Basílica of Saint Paul one of the oldest Gothic churches in the south of France. It was built on the remains of a cemetery from the 3rd and 4th centuries. Its architecture is particular because it is a combination of Roman and Gothic styles. Its fountain is famous for the frog carved on it.
From there we went to the old town until we arrived at the square where you find the Archbishop’s Palace Museum and the Donjon Gilles Aycelin. Today this palace is a set of various buildings such as the Town Hall. Next to the town hall is the Tower Gilles Aycelin built by the archbishop of that name in the years 1290 y 1311 with 42 meters. The Gothic styles Cathedral of St Justo and St Pastor built in 1272, is similar to the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, it is just behind the town hall and is entered through the Anchor passage that separates the new palace from the old.
Our next visit was the Roman Horreum built during the 1st century BC, these underground galleries are one of the few Roman monuments visible in Narbonne. They are thought to have constituted the foundations of a marketplace. Then we saw the ancient church of St John and the Vicomtes garden until we arrived at the Tourist office and the Canal de la Robine UNESCO World Heritage where the Merchants Bridge is located, which is a covered bridge.
Then we walk the Promenade des Barques which is the promenade along the Canal de la Robine where you can find street markets and various bridges where it is typical to take selfies as the views are amazing with the palace and the cathedral in the background. Crossing to the other side you can find Les Halles, Narbonne market where you can buy and eat all kinds of local products.
Before lunch, we went to see the Notre Dame de Lamourgier Church Gothic style that was confiscated after the French Revolution and used as the lapidary museum until 2018. We had lunch in a restaurant in front of the canal where we decided to have hamburgers. I had the chicken with cornflakes hamburger and Ben the typical beef burger. Both were really nice and for 12 euros. Lunch in France is served between 12 and 1.30 pm and then restaurants will close until 7.30 or 8 pm.
We finished our visit to Narbonne by walking through the old town with its little squares, nice shops and old buildings.
The next day we went to Avignon, a city in the Provence region in southeastern France, along the Rhone River and you can see it in the next post!
